Lakeland, Florida, known as "The Swan City," is a charming community located between Tampa and Orlando. With its beautiful lakes, vibrant arts scene, and strong local economy, Lakeland offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of natural beauty and modern amenities makes living in Lakeland an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Lakeland enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, lakes, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Hollis Garden and the Polk Museum of Art are popular destinations that celebrate the city's cultural richness. The annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is an event that showcases Lakeland's vibrant community spirit and love for aviation.
Lakeland's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The city's strategic location between Tampa and Orlando provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in both metropolitan areas. Major employers in the area include Lakeland Regional Health and Publix Super Markets.
The housing market in Lakeland includes a variety of options, from lakefront properties to single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Lakeland is well-developed, with access to Citrus Connection buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Lakeland's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Lakeland offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Lakeland, Florida is a moderately-sized city with a population of 110,335 residents. At 71%, the majority of the Lakeland population is White; this is followed by 19% Black and 2% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 50% of the Lakeland population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Lakeland is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 23 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lakeland, Florida could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Lakeland and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Lakeland to Florida and the national average.
Using data and statistics Lakeland has received a livability score of 76/100. This score is ranked in the 91st percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Lakeland would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lakeland has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Lakeland scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lakeland market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Lakeland is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Lakeland come in at $160,400, which is 3.8% lower than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lakeland, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 5.9% lower than the Florida average.
| Statistic | Lakeland | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.3% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.6% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.0% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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