Living in Lakeland, FL
Lakeland is the 233rd-largest city in the US, home to about 126,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 11.5% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (97.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 125,520+11.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $249,4003.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,395/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $64,185median, per year
- Price level
- 97.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 74° / 92°lows 51° / 74°
- Average commute
- 23 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Polk County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 197 ft
Metro area: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Cost of living in Lakeland
The median home in Lakeland is worth $249,400 and the median household earns $64,185 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,395 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area at 97.1, with housing at 95.9 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $72,900 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Lakeland?
Lakeland weather
Average highs run from 74°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 51°F. It gets 57 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 119 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Lakeland
People and work
The median resident is 38.9 years old, and 29% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 56% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 14% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 38.9418th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 29%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 56%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,88566.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%3% walk, 1.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1983median year
Who moves to Lakeland, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Miami (Miami-Dade County), Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Fort Lauderdale (Broward County), Miami (Miami-Dade County) and Jacksonville (Duval County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Polk County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, strong wind, lightning, tornado.
Home prices
+2.4% in a year
Up 43% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
95% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL area (355 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Lakeland
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of South Florida 28 miles
- The University of Tampa 32 miles
- Polk State College 15 miles
- Saint Leo University 28 miles
- Southeastern University 2 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Lakeland
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Linder Regional Airport LAL | 5 mi | 24,185 |
| Tampa International Airport TPA | 36 mi | 12,075,591 |
| St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport PIE | 46 mi | 1,228,048 |
| Orlando International Airport MCO | 48 mi | 27,859,783 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Lakeland
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk State College | 15 mi | 7,180 | $7,232 | n/a |
| Southeastern University | 2 mi | 4,813 | $34,297 | 43% |
| Florida Southern College | in town | 2,656 | $26,211 | 68% |
| Florida Polytechnic University | 10 mi | 1,689 | $11,278 | 58% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Lakeland
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 26, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 30 and the first frost comes around January 9.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Lakeland 2, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Lakeland.
Wildfire smoke in Lakeland
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Lakeland on about 101 days a year, including about 5 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Lakeland
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 47,816 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Lakeland
Downtown Lakeland is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 111,372 | 165 | 19.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Hillsborough County School District (220,360 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Lakeland's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Lakeland's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Houston, TX71% matchCompare
- Pasadena, TX70% matchCompare
- Corpus Christi, TX64% matchCompare
- League City, TX63% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Lakeland
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Lakeland
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
- Data 7 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 74°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+11.5% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
- Data Clean air: 339 of 355 days in 2025 had good air quality in the metro (EPA).
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 119 days a year reach 90°F.
Lakeland report card from locals
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Cities near Lakeland
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon, FL | 22 mi | 119,767 | $339,000 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Riverview, FL | 25 mi | 113,697 | $384,200 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Tampa, FL | 30 mi | 413,554 | $420,400 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Kissimmee, FL | 37 mi | 85,591 | $304,400 | 101.4 | Compare |
| Spring Hill, FL | 47 mi | 119,983 | $288,500 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Clearwater, FL | 48 mi | 114,364 | $361,300 | 100.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Lakeland with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakeland a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, 7 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 119 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Lakeland side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Lakeland?
The Census Bureau estimates Lakeland had 125,520 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 112,604 in April 2020 (+11.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Lakeland?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $72,900 in the Lakeland area. The median household here earns $64,185.
When is the best time to visit Lakeland?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 74°F for daytime highs.
What county is Lakeland in?
Lakeland is in Polk County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Lakeland in?
Lakeland is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Lakeland?
About 197 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Lakeland. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Lakeland 2, FL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.