Lakeland FL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 74.1% | 40.7% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,538 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.1% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $429,449 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.2% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.4 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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