Moving from Laredo, TX to Lakeland, FL
Relocating 1318 mi from Laredo to Lakeland is a 23h 58m 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.
1318 mi · 23h 58m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Lakeland runs about 11.7% more expensive overall than Laredo — RPP 86.956 → 97.141.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $220,331 in Laredo to $311,156 in Lakeland, a 11.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 56.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 75.0°F vs 73.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Lakeland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.53 |
Household income lines up — $63,264 vs $60,947 on 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 Texas 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.
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
What is the climate difference between Laredo and Lakeland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Lakeland vs 75.0°F in Laredo (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 56.8 in vs 19.7 in.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 41.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 1318 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 1318 mi and the route typically takes 23h 58m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 11.7% higher than Laredo (97.141 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · Lakeland, FL.