Moving from Lakeland, FL to Tampa, FL
About 6,988 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 9,534 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Tampa, FL.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 17.0% of income in Lakeland, FL and 17.0% in Tampa, FL.
Lakeland, FL Tampa, FL (monthly)
| Monthly | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $994 | $994 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,840 | $4,840 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,338 | $1,648 | +$310 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,338 | $1,648 | +$310 |
| Food | $424 | $421 | −$3 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 95.5 | $424 | $421 | −$3 |
| Transportation | $159 | $159 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.97/gal (FL weekly average) | $159 | $159 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $29 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $29 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $976 | $965 | −$10 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 95.5 | $481 | $477 | −$4 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.6 | $494 | $488 | −$6 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,914 | $1,618 | −$296 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 12.3% of income in Lakeland, FL and 12.3% in Tampa, FL.
Lakeland, FL Tampa, FL (monthly)
| Monthly | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,765 | $8,765 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,608 | $1,917 | +$309 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,608 | $1,917 | +$309 |
| Childcare | $1,324 | $1,589 | +$265 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $175/wk, school-age $125/wk (2022 prices, Hillsborough County, FL); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,324 | $1,589 | +$265 |
| Food | $1,234 | $1,224 | −$10 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 95.5 | $1,234 | $1,224 | −$10 |
| Transportation | $318 | $318 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.97/gal (FL weekly average) | $318 | $318 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $29 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $29 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $976 | $965 | −$10 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 95.5 | $481 | $477 | −$4 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.6 | $494 | $488 | −$6 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,276 | $2,723 | −$553 |
Lakeland, FL vs Tampa, FL at a glance
| Measure | Lakeland, FL | Tampa, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 97.1 | 100.9 |
| Housing price level | 95.9 | 125.8 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,338 | $1,648 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,608 | $1,917 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,212 | $2,448 |
| Median home value | $266,500 | $345,100 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.73% | 0.74% |
| Median household income | $65,978 | $74,392 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $230 | $240 |
| State income tax on wages | No | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6% | 6% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.97 | $3.97 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $168 | $168 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Tampa, FL to keep my Lakeland, FL lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Lakeland, FL, about $75,050 in Tampa, FL (+7.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $128,265. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Tampa, FL cheaper than Lakeland, FL?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Tampa, FL is at 100.9 and Lakeland, FL at 97.1 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$296 a month in Tampa, FL.
How many people move from Lakeland, FL to Tampa, FL?+
About 6,988 people a year (±988), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 9,534 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.