Lakeland FL vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 74.1% | 53.7% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $411,323 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.3% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Phoenix
72.1°F
Phoenix +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 72.1°F | Phoenix + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.7 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PALakeland, FL vs San Antonio, TX