Killeen 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Killeen +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 48.4 | Killeen + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 81.5% | 74.1% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.7% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $60,465 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $36,322 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.3% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 12.0% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 26.8% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $312,001 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 61.1% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Killeen, 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
Killeen
45.7%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.3% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 72.6°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 54.8 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Killeen, 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
Killeen
30.4 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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