Lakeland FL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.7% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 49.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 5.2% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $48,536 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $31,324 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.8% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 42.6% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 55.0 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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