Lakeland FL vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.5% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 57.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 8.6% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $52,671 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $34,792 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.7% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 41.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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