Lakeland FL vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 26,509 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.6% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 3.9% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $344,633 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.3 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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