Lakeland FL vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 74.1% | 53.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $507,575 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.6% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, 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%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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