Lakeland FL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 74.1% | 16.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $48,416 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $25,509 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 10.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 24.7% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 17.4% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $482,675 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 24.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 23.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.2% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 35.9 min | Lakeland + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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