Fresno CA vs Lakeland FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 82,506 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 48.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 6.7% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 14.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $60,465 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 38.9% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.3% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 72.6°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 54.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.6 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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