Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Austin
59.9%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 82,506 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 48.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.9% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 14.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $60,465 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $36,322 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 26.8% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.3% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.3% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 72.6°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 54.8 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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