Lakeland FL vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 74.1% | 36.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $53,771 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $34,482 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 25.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $330,564 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 28.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.9% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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