Lakeland FL vs Lakewood CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.5% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.4% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $575,076 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 58.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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