Lakeland FL vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Provo
12.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.1% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.2% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $26,755 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $486,127 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 39.9% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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