Moving from Lakeland, FL to Glendale, CA
Moving from Lakeland, FL to Glendale, CA is a 2523 mi cross-country relocation — about 44h 27m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2523 mi · 44h 27m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.141 in Lakeland to 113.566 in Glendale, a 16.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Glendale: 16.9% above Lakeland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 16.5" |
Glendale is 9.4°F cooler on the annual average (73.9°F vs 64.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.63 |
Median household income in Glendale is 16.9% above Lakeland ($60,947 vs $84,262, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 38.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, CA from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 2523 mi and the route typically takes 44h 27m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Glendale more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 16.9% higher than Lakeland (113.566 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 286.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Lakeland and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (9.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 56.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2523 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Glendale, CA.