Lakeland FL vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 74.1% | 51.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.9% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $376,530 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.2% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakeland +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 73.4°F | Lakeland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, 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 +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 26.8 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Tampa 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 Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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