Lakeland FL vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 74.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 40.5% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | 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 +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. 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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