Lakeland FL vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.7% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 37.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 7.1% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $56,782 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $32,004 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.5% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $326,132 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 44.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Savannah
66.8°F
Savannah +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 66.8°F | Savannah + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, 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 392 in Savannah. 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, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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