Moving from Clearwater, FL to Lakeland, FL
The 55 mi from Clearwater to Lakeland translate to about 1h 14m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
55 mi · 1h 14m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, FL 60, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakeland and Clearwater is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakeland is 3.7% below Clearwater ($311,156 vs $339,488 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clearwater | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 56.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Clearwater (73.9°F) and Lakeland (73.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakeland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.53 |
Income steps down 3.7%: $64,440 in Clearwater vs $60,947 in Lakeland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakeland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 42,440 | $36,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 33,100 | $39,890 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,560 | $34,180 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,800 | $28,640 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 15,650 | $35,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lakeland average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Lakeland averages 56.8 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Lakeland more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 3.7% lower than Clearwater (97.141 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $339,488 in Clearwater — a 8.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $64,440 in Clearwater — a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 55 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 55 mi and the route typically takes 1h 14m via I 4 and FL 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL · Lakeland, FL.