Lakeland FL vs Mesquite 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%
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
37.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
3.0%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 148,848 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.4 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 21.0% | Mesquite + |
| White | 74.1% | 37.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 24.7% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.0% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 44.7% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Mesquite
$71,843
Mesquite +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Mesquite
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Mesquite
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $71,843 | Mesquite + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $29,291 | 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% | 12.4% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $263,551 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.2% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Mesquite
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Mesquite
2339
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, 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%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Mesquite
12.9%
Mesquite +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 46.4% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Mesquite + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 23.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.4% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Mesquite
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Mesquite
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, 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
Lakeland +
Mesquite
35.6 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 35.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesquite leads in median household income at $71,843, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Mesquite. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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