Median rent is 31% lower in Lakeland ($1,299/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lakeland, where the median home runs $229,100 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $60,947 a year).
City A
Lakeland, FL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Lakeland, FL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Lakeland
Florida
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Lakeland — median rent of $1,299/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 31% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $229,100 in Lakeland — 74% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Lakeland a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 7.25% in California; Lakeland has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Lakeland
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Lakeland.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Lakeland if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,299/mo median).
Pick Lakeland if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Lakeland cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Lakeland vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,299/mo in Lakeland, FL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Lakeland, FL has the lower rent by about 31%.
Which has higher salaries — Lakeland or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $60,947 in Lakeland, FL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Lakeland or Los Angeles?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Lakeland income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology