Lakeland FL vs Miramar 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%
Miramar, FL
Florida · Population: 81,319
- Median HH Income$67,014
- Median Home Price$518,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+51.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Miramar
81,319
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Miramar
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Miramar
42.4
Miramar +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Miramar
55.7%
Miramar +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Miramar
56.1%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Miramar
4.4%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Miramar
2.3%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Miramar
55.8%
Miramar +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Miramar
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 81,319 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 42.4 | Miramar + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 55.7% | Miramar + |
| White | 74.1% | 56.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.4% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.3% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 55.8% | Miramar + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Miramar
$67,014
Miramar +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Miramar
$72,301
Miramar +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Miramar
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Miramar
3.9%
Miramar +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Miramar
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Miramar
51.2%
Miramar +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $67,014 | Miramar + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $72,301 | Miramar + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.9% | Miramar + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 51.2% | Miramar + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Miramar
$518,584
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Miramar
38.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $518,584 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 38.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Miramar
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Miramar
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, 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%
Miramar
30.9%
Miramar +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Miramar
12.2%
Miramar +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Miramar
15.9%
Miramar +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Miramar
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Miramar
14.4%
Miramar +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Miramar
10.6%
Miramar +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 30.9% | Miramar + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | Miramar + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.9% | Miramar + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.0% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Miramar + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.6% | Miramar + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Miramar
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Miramar
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, 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
Miramar
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Miramar
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, 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 +
Miramar
29.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 29.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miramar leads in median household income at $67,014, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Miramar is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Miramar has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Miramar has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miramar scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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