Lakeland FL vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Plymouth
40.7
Plymouth +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 79,526 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 40.7 | Plymouth + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 74.1% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 8.8% | 5.0% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 4.7% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $514,358 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | 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
Lakeland +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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