Lakeland FL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 75,721 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 74.1% | 48.7% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.2% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 6.8% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $765,686 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.2% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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