Lakeland FL vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 70.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $58,568 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $31,987 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.4% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 25.0% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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