Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Lakeland, FL (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Houston is 7% more expensive than Lakeland.

$1,313/mo ↑ 1%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↓ 1%
$62,894/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↓ 3%
$253,400 ↑ 11%
Home Value
$229,100 ↓ 10%
$1,316/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 13%
2,300,419
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $1,947/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Houston or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Lakeland?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $14/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Lakeland?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $1,947/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Lakeland details →

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