Cost of Living in Lakeland, TN

Population 14,068 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lakeland sits on the smaller end of the Tennessee city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 15 miles northeast of Memphis, Lakeland falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 138% higher than Memphis' $157,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 123
Rent 123

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Lakeland

The median home value in Lakeland is $373,800 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,611/month, 23% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $113,843/year is 53% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 73.0°F and lows of 53.8°F, with about 2.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lakeland has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$373,800
23% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$443,368
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
23% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,846/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 80.2%
Renter-occupied 19.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,611
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,225/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.9 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.3%
Carpooled
6.1%
Work from home
13.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$113,843
53% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,019
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor Force Participation
66.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.3%
Graduate degree 23.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 39.8
Female median age 39.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.0°F
Avg Low
53.8°F
Annual Precip
54.9"
Annual Snowfall
2.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515664738289929286756353
Low °F 333744536270747366544336
Precip" 4.144.555.745.875.273.994.823.373.033.984.695.49
Snow" 0.91.00.50.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
42.5%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
200
PM2.5 days
164
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lakeland, TN?

Lakeland has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lakeland, TN?

The median gross rent in Lakeland is $1,611 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lakeland?

The median home value in Lakeland is $373,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lakeland?

The median household income in Lakeland is $113,843 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lakeland, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lakeland is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Lakeland, TN affordable?

Lakeland is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lakeland?

Lakeland has average high temperatures of 73.0°F and average lows of 53.8°F. Annual precipitation is 54.9". Average annual snowfall is 2.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lakeland at a Glance

Population
14,068
Median Income
$113,843
Home Value
$373,800
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Avg High Temp
73.0°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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