Lakeland FL vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 61,773 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 74.1% | 43.7% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.7% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.2% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 64.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 30.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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