Lakeland FL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Madison
11.6%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.6% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 73.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.1% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.3% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $429,253 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.6% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.8% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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