Lakeland FL vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.5 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 74.1% | 49.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.2% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $426,069 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.0% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 67.4°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.7 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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