Moving from Lakeland, FL to Laredo, TX
It is 1318 mi between Lakeland and Laredo — roughly 23h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1318 mi · 23h 58m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.5% moving from Lakeland to Laredo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $311,156 in Lakeland to $220,331 in Laredo, a 10.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 19.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 73.9°F vs 75.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $60,947 vs $63,264 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Laredo average 100°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 far is Laredo, TX from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 1318 mi and the route typically takes 23h 58m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lakeland and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 56.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1318 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 3.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 10.5% lower than Lakeland (86.956 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 · Laredo, TX.