Abilene TX vs Lakeland FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 82,506 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 48.4 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 66.6% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 10.3% | 8.8% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 14.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $60,465 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 26.8% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $312,001 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 38.9% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.3% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.1% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 72.6°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 54.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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