Lakeland FL vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 74.1% | 61.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 10.5% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $334,719 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.8% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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