Lakeland FL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 59.4% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 13.1% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $496,966 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, 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
Lakeland +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 31.1 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. 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, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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