Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Lakeland, FL (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Tallahassee is 6% more expensive than Lakeland.

$1,238/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↑ 5%
$55,931/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↑ 9%
$276,000 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$229,100 ↓ 17%
$1,237/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 7%
199,696
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $61/month cheaper in Tallahassee, saving renters about $732/year.

Median household income is $5,016/year higher in Lakeland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Lakeland?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $61/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Lakeland?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $5,016/year higher in Lakeland.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/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 Tallahassee details → View Lakeland details →

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