Lakeland FL vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Peoria
42.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 42.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.3% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 72.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.4% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $488,428 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 31.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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