Lakeland FL vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 74.1% | 70.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $510,577 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.9% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, 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%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, 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
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. 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, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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