Lakeland FL vs Santa Ana CA — 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Santa Ana
42.9
Santa Ana +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 42.9 | Santa Ana + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 74.1% | 66.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.9% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $865,610 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 28.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 20.7% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.0 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 503 in Santa Ana. 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, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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