Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 82,506 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 48.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 12.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 23.7% | 8.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 14.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,465 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $36,322 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 26.8% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $312,001 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.9% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.3% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 72.6°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 54.8 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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