CostIndexUSA

Lakeland, FL vs New York, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent
NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Lakeland is significantly cheaper than New York — 16.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lakeland, you would need $92,800 in New York. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+55.0%
Lakeland
95.9
New York
148.6
🛒 Groceries+14.7%
Lakeland
96.2
New York
110.3
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Lakeland
103.8
New York
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+7.0%
Lakeland
93.9
New York
100.5
Utilities+46.1%
Lakeland
86.9
New York
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$92,800
$12,800 more needed in New York

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 1.1596. 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×

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

New York has 55.0% higher housing costs compared to Lakeland.

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

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

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)

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.