Moving from Lakeland, FL to Pearland, TX
Relocating 980 mi from Lakeland to Pearland is a 18h 10m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
980 mi Β· 18h 10m 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 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, League City, Pasadena, Houston, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Pearland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Lakeland and Pearland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $311,156 in Lakeland to $382,157 in Pearland, a 1.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Pearland -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakeland | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 53.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 73.9Β°F vs 71.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 125,983 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $112,470 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 29.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.89 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.5% β $60,947 β $112,470 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pearland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Pearland average 93Β°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: Pearland averages 53.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
Is Pearland more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pearland is 1.5% higher than Lakeland (98.629 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pearland compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pearland MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pearland compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,157 in Pearland vs $311,156 in Lakeland β a 22.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Pearland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pearland, TX from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 18h 10m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Pearland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,470 in Pearland vs $60,947 in Lakeland β a 84.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL Β· Pearland, TX.