Lakeland FL vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 74.1% | 37.3% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 8.5% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.6% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $956,465 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 36.3% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 62.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 33.8 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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