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Cost of living in Lakeland, FL

Livability score 69 · cost-of-living index 97.7 (US = 100)

Lakeland, FL
Photo: Connor J. Williams via Commons · CC BY 3.0

How Lakeland compares

Where Lakeland falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 98 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 98 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $299k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $299k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $162 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $162 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.73% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.73% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 380 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 380 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 91° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 91° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 52° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 52°

Map of Lakeland

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)97.7metro-area#120 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)96.3metro-area#76 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.56metro-area#119 of 200
Median household income$60,901metro-area#169 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$35,090metro-area#170 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age39.6 yearsmetro-area#130 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)22.6%metro-area#186 of 200
Foreign-born residents11.5%metro-area#64 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied70.0%metro-area#47 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate4.63%metro-area#63 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+12.9%metro-area#17 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$298,816metro-area#74 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)4.9×metro-area#111 of 200
1-yr home appreciation-3.2%metro-area#192 of 200
Price per square foot$162metro-area#73 of 200
Typical home size (implied)1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,849metro-area#142 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)5,225
Median days on market44metro-area#187 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)9.1%state#38 of 200
Combined sales tax7.02%state#69 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate0.73%metro-area#68 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,579metro-area#41 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth76.1 yearsmetro-area#118 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$7,500state#163 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)14.7%metro-area#176 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k46metro-area#191 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$10,000state#58 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$225state#153 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailNo vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices5
Avg commute to work30 minmetro-area#180 of 200
Commute by driving alone77.4%metro-area#135 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min44.6%metro-area#183 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity15.4¢/kWhstate#45 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$138state#41 of 200
Gasoline$3.35/galstate#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$38state#3 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$88state#65 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$76state#20 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$4,200state#183 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$2,900state#181 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)96.5 — Relatively Highmetro-area#160 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$1,400state#185 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)39metro-area#31 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)3,600metro-area#180 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)96%state#4 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)500metro-area#4 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F138metro-area#196 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F1metro-area#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)91°Fmetro-area#136 of 200
Avg winter low52°Fmetro-area#4 of 200
Annual precipitation51.5"metro-area#171 of 200
Annual snowfall0.0"metro-area#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)68%metro-area#34 of 200
Plant hardiness zone10a
Frost window01-15 → 01-15

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)380state#75 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)1,950state#67 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores20metro-area#169 of 200
Parks22
Hiking areas9
Golf courses15
Shooting ranges7
Lakes9

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)3state#87 of 200
Permit detailModerate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Salaries by occupation in Lakeland

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $156,820
Pharmacists $135,530
Marketing Managers $133,420
Financial Managers $122,640
Human Resources Managers $111,060
Software Developers $110,600
Physician Assistants $110,290
Lawyers $102,100
Data Scientists $97,660
Physical Therapists $96,400
General & Operations Managers $93,960
Construction Managers $93,110
Civil Engineers $92,940
Web Developers $81,180
Mechanical Engineers $78,170
Registered Nurses $78,050
Dental Hygienists $77,990
Accountants & Auditors $72,080
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $61,340
Elementary School Teachers $56,610
Graphic Designers $52,670
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $51,280
Real Estate Sales Agents $50,400
Electricians $48,540
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $46,900
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $46,520
Carpenters $45,400
Medical Assistants $36,040

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