Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Lakeland, FL
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Lakeland, FL is a 2154 mi cross-country relocation β about 37h 52m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2154 mi Β· 37h 52m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Glendale, Scottsdale, Peoria, Surprise, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Phoenix | 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 prices in Lakeland are 6.0% below Phoenix β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lakeland typical home at $311,156 is 6.0% under Phoenix at $410,169 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Phoenix -2.7%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Phoenix | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 104Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.9" | 56.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.5Β°F vs 73.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Phoenix | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $77,041 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Lakeland is 6.0% below Phoenix ($77,041 vs $60,947, ACS 5-year 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 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.
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 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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 much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Phoenix?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $410,169 in Phoenix β a 24.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Phoenix?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 6.0% lower than Phoenix (97.141 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Phoenix, AZ?
The driving distance is 2154 mi and the route typically takes 37h 52m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Phoenix?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $48,600 in the Phoenix 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.
How does household income compare in Phoenix vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $77,041 in Phoenix β a 20.9% lower 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 Phoenix.
City profiles: Phoenix, AZ Β· Lakeland, FL.