Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 82,506 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 48.4 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.8% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 14.4% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $60,465 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 26.8% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.9% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.3% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 72.6°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 54.8 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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