Lakeland FL vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
New York
35.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 74.1% | 35.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.4% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $816,078 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 32.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
New York
1736
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | 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
Lakeland +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 44.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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 York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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