Lakeland FL vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.3% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 8.8% | 0.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 11.3% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $672,082 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA