Moving from Lakeland, FL to Carrollton, TX
The drive from Lakeland, FL to Carrollton, TX runs 1108 mi β about 20h 40m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1108 mi Β· 20h 40m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Carrollton is 6.1% higher than Lakeland, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Carrollton is 6.1% above Lakeland β $311,156 vs $406,040 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakeland | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 41.9" |
Climate cools by 8.1Β°F on the annual average β 73.9Β°F β 65.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.1% between Lakeland and Carrollton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Carrollton average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $311,156 in Lakeland β a 30.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 1108 mi and the route typically takes 20h 40m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $60,947 in Lakeland β a 62.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 6.1% higher than Lakeland (103.09 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1108 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 256,700 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 Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL Β· Carrollton, TX.