Lakeland, FL vs Madera, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Lakeland
71.5
#975 nationally
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Lakeland leads in crime level (8.3 vs 10.8). Lakeland leads in average commute (23.2 min vs 28.3 min). Madera leads in walk score (42 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.5 (#975) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 122,264 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,574 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $58,290 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 8.3 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+20.7 | R+20.8 |
C-
71.5 Score
Lakeland, FL
Mid-size Florida city with community character
Median Home
$312,574
Population
122,264
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
Southeast
View Lakeland, FL →
D
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →