Moving from Pasadena, TX to Lakeland, FL
It is 966 mi between Pasadena and Lakeland β roughly 17h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
966 mi Β· 17h 53m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Houston, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Lakeland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 97.141 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 86.883 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 95.942 | 100.0 |
Pasadena and Lakeland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $217,449 in Pasadena to $311,156 in Lakeland, a 1.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 56.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.1Β°F vs 73.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.53 |
Households in Lakeland earn about 1.5% less at the median β 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lakeland average 92Β°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 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Lakeland, FL from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 966 mi and the route typically takes 17h 53m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 43.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 966 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 256,700 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 1.5% lower than Pasadena (97.141 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 5.2% lower 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· Lakeland, FL.