Moving from Glendale, AZ to Lakeland, FL
A 2155 mi cross-country move between Glendale and Lakeland is 37h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2155 mi · 37h 53m by car · AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Peoria, Surprise, Scottsdale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Lakeland at 97.141 vs Glendale at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $407,332 to $311,156 moving to Lakeland.
YoY change: Glendale -2.6%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.3" | 56.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Glendale (71.9°F) and Lakeland (73.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakeland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: YOUNGTOWN, AZ US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,193 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $70,139 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.53 |
Households in Lakeland earn about 6.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakeland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 42,440 | $36,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 33,100 | $39,890 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,560 | $34,180 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,800 | $28,640 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 15,650 | $35,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lakeland average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Lakeland averages 56.8 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2155 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Glendale, AZ?
The driving distance is 2155 mi and the route typically takes 37h 53m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 6.0% lower than Glendale (97.141 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Lakeland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Lakeland vs 71.9°F in Glendale (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.8 in vs 8.3 in.
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $70,139 in Glendale — a 13.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $48,600 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $407,332 in Glendale — a 23.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, AZ · Lakeland, FL.