Lakeland FL vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 111,514 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.1 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.0% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 70.3% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.7% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 0.8% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $55,305 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $30,949 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 22.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 60.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.9% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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