salaryRent is higher than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,040 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Florida. It is number 132 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lakeland?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lakeland
| Size | Lakeland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,169 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,289 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,426 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,768 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,347 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lakeland overall?
Everyday prices in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lakeland
Life in Lakeland
What jobs pay in Lakeland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,380 | 14.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,720 | 16.0% |
| Lawyer | $122,870 | 16.4% |
| Software Developer | $122,200 | 16.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,540 | 16.5% |
| Operations Manager | $96,220 | 20.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,080 | 21.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,820 | 23.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,030 | 23.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,840 | 24.6% |
| Accountant | $76,820 | 26.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $76,630 | 26.2% |
| Police Officer | $66,700 | 30.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,940 | 33.6% |
| Truck Driver | $57,090 | 35.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,680 | 35.5% |
| Electrician | $54,920 | 36.6% |
| Plumber | $51,220 | 39.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,420 | 39.9% |
| Firefighter | $48,560 | 41.4% |
| Carpenter | $45,970 | 43.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,800 | 47.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,780 | 48.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,750 | 51.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,000 | 55.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,600 | 56.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,270 | 57.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,820 | 63.2% |
| Cashier | $29,900 | 67.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lakeland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $54 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $249,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,940 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lakeland, FL?
Renting in Lakeland costs a median of about $1,676 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Lakeland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,040 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lakeland cheap or expensive?
Lakeland is rated OK: rent takes 29.1% of the typical household income of $69,224. It ranks 132nd cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lakeland?
The median homeowner in Lakeland pays $1,819 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Lakeland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lakeland?
The median home value in Lakeland is $249,400, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
119,961 people live in Lakeland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.