Lakeland FL vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
St. George
7.4%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.4% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 8.8% | 0.6% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.2% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 12.7% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $36,254 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $456,900 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
St. George
63.9°F
St. George +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 63.9°F | St. George + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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