Lakeland FL vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 74.1% | 49.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $708,498 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Stamford
53.2 in
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 53.2 in | Stamford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 30.1 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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