Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 82,506 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 48.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 20.4% | 8.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 14.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $312,001 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 54.8 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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