Moving from Peoria, AZ to Lakeland, FL
A 2183 mi cross-country move between Peoria and Lakeland is 38h 23m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2183 mi · 38h 23m by car · AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.0% moving from Peoria to Lakeland — 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 $488,596 in Peoria to $311,156 in Lakeland, a 6.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 56.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.2°F vs 73.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Lakeland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.53 |
Lakeland households earn about 6.0% less than Peoria at the median — $93,403 → $60,947 on ACS 2023.
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.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $93,403 in Peoria — a 34.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 2183 mi and the route typically takes 38h 23m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 2183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 6.0% lower than Peoria (97.141 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Lakeland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Lakeland vs 70.2°F in Peoria (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.8 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $488,596 in Peoria — a 36.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ · Lakeland, FL.