Lakeland, FL vs New Smyrna Beach, FL
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
New Smyrna Beach
69.3
#1228 nationally
New Smyrna Beach leads in crime level (3.2 vs 8.3). Lakeland leads in walk score (35 vs 24). Lakeland leads in average commute (23.2 min vs 29.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Smyrna Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.5 (#975) | 69.3 (#1228) |
| Population | 122,264 | 32,655 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,574 | $455,070 |
| Median Household Income | $58,290 | $73,096 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 29.2 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 24 |
| Crime Level | 8.3 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 117 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+20.7 | R+21.8 |
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+
69.3 Score
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Small Florida city with local appeal
Median Home
$455,070
Population
32,655
Crime
Low
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View New Smyrna Beach, FL →
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