Lakeland FL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Portland
11.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 68,505 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,587 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $561,069 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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