Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 82,506 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 48.4 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 53.6% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 28.1% | 8.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $60,465 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 26.8% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $312,001 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 54.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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