Living in Lakeland, FL
Mid-size city in Florida
Lakeland is a mid-size city in Florida, home to about 117,000 people, with 1.3 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
Is Lakeland a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Low taxes: no state income tax, 0.73% property tax
- Easy flying: TPA is 35 mi away
- Affordable housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $302k and rents for $2,020 a month
- Strong healthcare: 4 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Fewer outdoor escapes: no big hills or water close by
- Fewer graduates: 28% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
- Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Lakeland ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Lakeland: common questions
What is the cost of living in Lakeland?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $302k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,020 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 97, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Lakeland?
Florida has no state income tax, and homeowners here pay about 0.73% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Lakeland safe?
Violent crime is close to the national rate (0.8× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Lakeland?
Lakeland is warm all year: winter days average around 75°F and summer days around 92°F.
Does Lakeland get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from hurricanes, flooding and strong wind: 14 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.22 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Lakeland?
The nearest major airport is TPA, about 35 mi away.
How Lakeland scores
Each bar compares Lakeland with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is Lakeland right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.