Lakeland FL vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Miami
39.7
Miami +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 39.7 | Miami + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 74.1% | 34.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Miami
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $59,390 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $580,996 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 30.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Miami
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Miami
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 27.2% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakeland +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 75.8°F | Lakeland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 64.1 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 29.9 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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