Lakeland FL vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.7% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 44.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.9% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 39.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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