Lakeland FL vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 5.7% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 72.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 8.9% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.3% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 42.7% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. 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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