Lakeland FL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 74.1% | 53.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 12.7% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $435,807 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.2% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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