Lakeland FL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 49.2 | Lakeland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.0% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $858,307 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Scottsdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 72.5°F | Scottsdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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