Lakeland FL vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.6 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 8.8% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 5.3% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $313,200 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 26.9 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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