Moving from Lakeland, FL to Irving, TX
Relocating 1106 mi from Lakeland to Irving is a 20h 40m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1106 mi · 20h 40m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 37.0" |
Expect 7.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Irving averages 1.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.71 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.1% — $60,947 → $79,641 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Lakeland and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 56.8 in.
How far is Irving, TX from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 1106 mi and the route typically takes 20h 40m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Irving more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 6.1% higher than Lakeland (103.09 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 9.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1106 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 30.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Irving, TX.