Lakeland-Winter Haven cost of living
Prices in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area run at 97.1 against a national average of 100, ranking it #126 of 387 metros. Rents there sit at 95.9.
What drives the number
Prices in Lakeland-Winter Haven run at 97.1 where the national average is 100, so about 2.9 per cent below the country as a whole. It ranks #126 of 387 metro areas. Against Florida as a whole it is 6.3 points less expensive, which is the unusual direction, and it means the expensive part of the state is somewhere else.
The parts move together here rather than pulling against each other: goods at 96.2, rents at 95.9, other services at 86.9. Goods are close to national almost everywhere, because most are shipped and priced nationally, so it is worth noticing when rents behave the same way.
Low prices only help if pay does not fall by more. Dividing the local median wage by 97.1 is how to check, and the wage pages carry that comparison.
The vertical line is the national average of 100. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, SARPP, 2024.
What the biggest local jobs are really worth
The same pay buys different amounts in different places, so a salary quoted in Lakeland-Winter Haven is not comparable to one quoted elsewhere until it is divided by the local parity. These are the occupations that employ the most people here, with the quoted median alongside what that median is worth at national prices.
| Occupation | Employed | Median pay | Worth nationally | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 15,140 | $36,920 | $38,023 | $37,090 |
| Retail Salespersons | 8,040 | $30,470 | $31,380 | $34,580 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 7,590 | $27,280 | $28,095 | $30,480 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 7,360 | $56,450 | $58,136 | $57,440 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 6,150 | $36,840 | $37,940 | $38,940 |
| Registered Nurses | 5,840 | $81,080 | $83,502 | $93,600 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 5,820 | $36,530 | $37,621 | $42,830 |
| Cashiers | 5,410 | $28,440 | $29,289 | $31,190 |
Pay from the BLS metro survey, adjusted by dividing by the metro parity of 97.1.
Nearby metro areas
| Metro area | All items | Rents | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 114.2 | 155.6 | #2 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 103.2 | 129.4 | #46 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 102.4 | 128.0 | #54 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 102.3 | 125.1 | #55 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 101.4 | 123.4 | #63 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 100.9 | 125.8 | #73 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven: common questions
Is Lakeland-Winter Haven expensive?
Prices are 2.9% below the national average, a parity of 97.1 where the country is 100. It ranks #126 of the 387 metro areas BEA measures. Against Florida as a whole it is 6.3 points less expensive.
What salary do you need in Lakeland-Winter Haven?
The median worker there earns $44,610, which buys what $45,942 buys nationally once local prices are taken into account. Comparing a salary offer between cities without this adjustment is comparing nothing useful.
Is housing the reason?
Usually. Rents here are at 95.9 against goods at 96.2. Goods barely vary between American cities because most are shipped and priced nationally; housing varies enormously, and it dominates any cost of living comparison.