Lakeland FL vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.6% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 31.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 7.9% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $55,339 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.8% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.6% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.5% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 66.6 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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 Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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