Lakeland FL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 71,124 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.3% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 32.4% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 11.8% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $55,269 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,087 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $327,117 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 394 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1991 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 41.0% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | 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
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, 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 394 in Wilmington. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA