Lakeland FL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.0% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 69.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.2% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $52,606 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.7% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $332,727 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.6% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1505 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA