Moving from Tampa, FL to Lakeland, FL
It is a short 34 mi hop from Tampa, FL to Lakeland, FL — roughly 44 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
34 mi · 44 min by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, FL 546, US 92 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.89 vs 97.141 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 3.7% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 56.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Tampa (74.5°F) and Lakeland (73.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakeland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.53 |
Households in Lakeland earn about 3.7% less at the median — 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Lakeland, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via I 4 and FL 546. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 3.7% lower than Tampa (97.141 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 17.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Lakeland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Lakeland vs 74.5°F in Tampa (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.8 in vs 49.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Lakeland, FL.