Lakeland FL vs Lubbock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 64.6% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 8.3% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $34,629 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.8% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. 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, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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