Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 82,506 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 48.4 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 12.9% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 2.0% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 3.7% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $60,465 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $36,322 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.0% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 26.8% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 38.9% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.3% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 16.4% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 72.6°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 54.8 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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