Moving from Pearland, TX to Lakeland, FL
It is 980 mi between Pearland and Lakeland β roughly 18h 10m 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.
980 mi Β· 18h 10m 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 | Sugar Land, League City, Pasadena, Houston, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pearland | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.629 vs 97.141 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 1.5% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pearland -0.8%, Lakeland -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pearland | 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 | 53.3" | 56.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Pearland (71.3Β°F) and Lakeland (73.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakeland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US, LAKELAND 2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pearland | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 117,030 |
| Median household income | $112,470 | $60,947 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 39.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.53 |
Lakeland households earn about 1.5% less than Pearland at the median β $112,470 β $60,947 on ACS 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
When is the best time to move from Pearland to Lakeland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakeland, FL from Pearland, TX?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 18h 10m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakeland more expensive than Pearland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakeland is 1.5% lower than Pearland (97.141 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lakeland compare to Pearland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA vs $46,960 in the Pearland 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.
How much do homes cost in Lakeland compared to Pearland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $311,156 in Lakeland vs $382,157 in Pearland β a 18.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pearland vs Lakeland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,947 in Lakeland vs $112,470 in Pearland β a 45.8% 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 Pearland.
City profiles: Pearland, TX Β· Lakeland, FL.