Lakeland FL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 74.1% | 36.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.3% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 34.5 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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