Lakeland FL vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.8% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 36.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $51,888 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $29,679 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 26.6% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 41.8% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.3% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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