Living in Lakeland, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lakeland · Census data 2020–2024
Lakeland has 119,961 residents with a median age of 38.9. The median household income is $64,185 (14% lower than the Florida median), the median home value is $249,400, the median rent is $1,395/month.
Lakeland at a glance
- Population
- 119,961
- Median age
- 38.9State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $64,185State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $249,400State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,395/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 56.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.4%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Lakeland a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.5%.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Florida median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
The weather is best in February–March and November–December.
Cost of living in Lakeland
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lakeland the median home value is $249,400, 25% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,395 per month, which is 30.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,721 a month in housing costs.
Lakeland median household income
The median household income in Lakeland is $64,185 and the income per person is $35,902. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Lakeland: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 54,896
- Owner-occupied
- 56.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.6%
- Vacant
- 12.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.33
Lakeland demographics
- Population
- 119,961
- Median age
- 38.9
- Under 18
- 19%
- 65 and older
- 21.5%
- Households
- 47,816
- Foreign-born
- 10.8%
- Veterans
- 8.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lakeland ›
Education in Lakeland
29.4% of adults 25 and older in Lakeland have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 11% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lakeland
- Unemployment rate
- 4.5%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 14.4%
- Drive alone
- 70.4%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 3.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.6%
Lakeland vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | $249,400 | $1,395 |
| Combee Settlement | 5,242 | $40,384 | $195,900 | $1,130 |
| Crystal Lake | 5,451 | $49,424 | $205,600 | $1,181 |
| Fussels Corner | 5,682 | $56,091 | $92,100 | $937 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | $385,000 | $1,704 |
| Kathleen | 7,201 | $57,097 | $203,500 | $1,247 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | $319,800 | $1,287 |
| Highland City | 13,276 | $90,947 | $347,100 | $1,993 |
| Fuller Heights | 10,083 | $82,006 | $278,000 | $1,444 |
More for people moving to Lakeland
Lakeland ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lakeland: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lakeland, FL?
The median household income in Lakeland is $64,185, 14% lower than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lakeland?
The median home value in Lakeland is $249,400, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Lakeland?
The median gross rent in Lakeland is $1,395 per month, about 30.4% of household income.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.5%. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Florida median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
What is the median age in Lakeland?
The median age in Lakeland is 38.9 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Lakeland?
The average commute to work in Lakeland is 23 minutes; 14.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lakeland?
The unemployment rate in Lakeland is 4.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lakeland?
29.4% of adults in Lakeland have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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