Lakeland FL vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.7% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 7.8% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.6% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $400,636 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 58.3% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.6% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.5% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 383 in Spokane. 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, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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