Lakeland

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Lakeland, FL

Area Guide

Central Florida’s hidden gem between Tampa and Orlando

Suburban Affordable Historic Lakefront Active

Nestled about halfway between two of Florida’s major cities, Lakeland enjoys a tranquil locale along I-4. Lakeland’s laidback atmosphere is complemented by its close proximity to countless metropolitan attractions, sitting within 45 minutes’ driving distance from Tampa and about an hour’s drive from Orlando.

Lakeland is comprised of numerous historic districts and Old Florida-style neighborhoods as well as more modern residential communities. The cost of living in Lakeland is quite affordable, boasting an array of rental homes and apartments that fit a variety of budgets. The cityscape is full of beautifully preserved historic architecture and the Florida Southern College campus is home to a world-famous collective of Frank Lloyd Wright designs.

Lakeland’s vibrant offerings range from MLB spring training games at Joker Merchant Stadium to the vast art collection at the Polk Museum. The city’s relatively isolated location puts thousands of acres of unspoiled nature at your fingertips, from the many wooded areas to the 38 lakes that the city is named after. Some of the most popular outdoor destinations include Lake Mirror and Lake Parker, which feature scenic waterfront parks, as well as the Circle B Bar Reserve, offering nearly 1,300 acres of marshes, wildlife, and bird habitats to explore.

Many Lakeland residents enjoy easy commutes, with the Publix corporate headquarters and Florida Polytechnic University situated within city limits. Direct access to I-4, Amtrak, Greyhound buses, and Lakeland Linder International Airport makes commuting and traveling from Lakeland simple.

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Lakeland, FL is $993 for a studio, $1,333 for one bedroom, $1,553 for two bedrooms, and $1,856 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lakeland has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,333/month
720 Sq Ft
House
$1,996/month
1,374 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,513/month
930 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,656/month
1,236 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Lakeland, FL

Transportation

41

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

52

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Valleyview Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

861 Students

Lincoln Avenue Academy

Public

Grades K-5

526 Students

Rochelle School Of The Arts

Public

Grades PK-8

803 Students

Scott Lake Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

727 Students

Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

410 Students

Rochelle School Of The Arts

Public

Grades PK-8

803 Students

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

Public

Grades 6-8

649 Students

Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,265 Students

Polk Full Time Eschool

Public

Grades K-12

604 Students

Lake Gibson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,218 Students

George W. Jenkins Senior High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,451 Students

Lakeland Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,043 Students

Polk Full Time Eschool

Public

Grades K-12

604 Students

Lake Gibson Senior High School

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

2,080 Students

Polk Acceleration Academy

Public

Grades 9-12

34 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Lakeland

Houses for Rent in Lakeland

Property Management Companies in Lakeland, FL

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.