Moving from Lakeland, FL to Miami Gardens, FL
Moving from Lakeland, FL to Miami Gardens, FL covers 224 mi and about 4h 28m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
224 mi Β· 4h 28m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, US 98, FL 548 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Miami Gardens is 17.5% higher than Lakeland, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Miami Gardens is 17.5% above Lakeland β $311,156 vs $469,434 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakeland | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 68.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Lakeland (73.9Β°F) and Miami Gardens (76.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.22 |
Median household incomes in Lakeland ($60,947) and Miami Gardens ($60,979) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $311,156 in Lakeland β a 50.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 17.5% higher than Lakeland (114.155 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $60,947 in Lakeland β a 0.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 224 mi and the route typically takes 4h 28m via FL 60 and US 98. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 224 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Miami Gardens, FL.