Lakeland FL vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.0% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 50.7% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 8.6% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $55,931 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $35,704 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 39.5% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, 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%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 67.6°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 58.1 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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