Lakeland vs Springfield: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Lakeland, FL and Springfield, IL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,404 | 114,214 |
| Median household income | $58,290 | $62,419 |
| Median home value | $207,800 | $147,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,217 | $913 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Lakeland, FL and Springfield, IL comes down to what you value most. Springfield has the lower median home value, and Springfield has the lower median rent.
Springfield has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Lakeland or Springfield?
- By median home value, Springfield is the cheaper of the two ($147,700 vs $207,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Lakeland or Springfield?
- Median household income is $58,290 in Lakeland versus $62,419 in Springfield, per the US Census Bureau.