Lakeland FL vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
St. Petersburg
43.1
St. Petersburg +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 43.1 | St. Petersburg + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 66.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.3% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $331,500 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
St. Petersburg
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
St. Petersburg
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
Lakeland +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 26.8 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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