Lakeland FL vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 40.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $51,339 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $27,054 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.2% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 25.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 19.7% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 39.6% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.8% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.1% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.5% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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