Lakeland FL vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 74.1% | 53.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.6% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $671,948 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 58.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.0% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. 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, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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