Lakeland FL vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 11,627 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.7 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 74.1% | 52.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $472,888 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Miami Gardens
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Miami Gardens
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, 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 Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 22.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.4% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, 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 Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 29.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Miami Gardens 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 Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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