Lakeland FL vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 74.1% | 48.3% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.0% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $32,983 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.8% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.1% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, 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%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.2% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 24.5% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 68.5°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 26.5 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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