Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Irving
36.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 82,506 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 48.4 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 12.9% | 8.8% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.7% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 14.4% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $60,465 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $36,322 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 26.8% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 38.9% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.3% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 Irving. 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, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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