Lakeland FL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 61.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 8.9% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $427,121 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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