Lakeland FL vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Port St. Lucie +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 43.7 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 74.1% | 60.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.2% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $327,700 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Port St. Lucie
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Port St. Lucie
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 32.0 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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