CostIndexUSA

Lakeland, FL vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Lakeland — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lakeland, you would need $76,000 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing16.8%
Lakeland
95.9
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lakeland
96.2
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Lakeland
103.8
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Lakeland
93.9
Memphis
90.6
Utilities14.7%
Lakeland
86.9
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 0.9495. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lakeland, FL

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

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Lakeland has 16.8% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

Income & Job Market

Lakeland, FL

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

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.