CostIndexUSA

Fort Worth, TX vs Lakeland, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Fort Worth
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent

Lakeland is moderately cheaper than Fort Worth — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $75,300 in Lakeland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing18.7%
Fort Worth
117.9
Lakeland
95.9
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Fort Worth
102.8
Lakeland
96.2
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Fort Worth
104.7
Lakeland
103.8
🏥 Healthcare0.8%
Fort Worth
94.7
Lakeland
93.9
Utilities4.2%
Fort Worth
90.7
Lakeland
86.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fort Worth to see what you'd need to earn in Lakeland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lakeland, FL
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Lakeland

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9418. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Worth, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Fort Worth has 18.7% lower housing costs compared to Lakeland.

Income & Job Market

Fort Worth, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
918,915
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsFinance

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fort Worth, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.