Brandon, FL vs. Lakeland, FL: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison between Brandon and Lakeland, Florida. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Brandon vs Lakeland in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how typical housing expenses compare between Brandon and Lakeland:
| Housing Type | Brandon | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,450 | $1,250 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $350,000 | $320,000 |
🏆 Winner: Lakeland. Housing costs tend to be 10-15% lower in Lakeland compared to Brandon.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills are a significant monthly expense. In Brandon, expect to pay around $180/month for a typical apartment. Lakeland utility costs average closer to $150/month.
Both cities have similar climates, so heating and cooling needs are comparable. However, Lakeland offers more public utility assistance programs for low-income residents.
🏆 Winner: Lakeland has a slight edge on utilities, especially for budget-conscious households.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery costs are fairly similar between Brandon and Lakeland. Expect to budget around $350-$450/month for a family of four in either city.
Restaurant prices are also comparable, with a nice dinner out averaging $50-60 for a couple. However, Brandon has a wider variety of dining options.
🏆 Winner: It’s a tie. Grocery and daily living costs are nearly identical.
4. Taxes and Fees
Florida has no state income tax, so that’s one less expense to worry about. However, both cities have property taxes to consider:
- Brandon property tax rate: 1.2%
- Lakeland property tax rate: 1.1%
In Brandon, HOA fees often include landscaping and trash, ranging from $200-400/month. Lakeland HOAs tend to be lower, around $100-300/month.
🏆 Winner: Lakeland. The combination of lower property taxes and HOA fees gives Lakeland the advantage.
5. Cost Summary Table
| Expense | Brandon | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,450 | $1,250 |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 |
| Transportation | $60 | $55 |
| Taxes & Fees | $300 | $200 |
| Misc | $200 | $200 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,255 |
Note: All income figures are expressed in gross monthly income (pre-tax). See our guide on Monthly Budget Examples for Brandon Residents for more details.
6. Lifestyle Fit
While Lakeland wins on pure cost, there are other factors to consider:
- Brandon offers more shopping, dining and entertainment options
- Lakeland has a more suburban feel with larger yards and more green space
- Brandon is 20 minutes closer to Tampa for commuters
- Lakeland has 10% more sunny days per year on average
Lakeland has more public transportation options, while Brandon is more car-dependent. Both are relatively quiet, family-friendly cities.
7. FAQ
Is Brandon more affordable than Lakeland?
No, Lakeland has a lower overall cost of living, by about 10-15%.
Which city has lower rent?
Lakeland rent prices are typically $100-200/month cheaper than Brandon.
Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
Lakeland home prices are about 5-10% lower on average. For a median 3BR, that’s a $30,000 difference.
8. Conclusion
For most households, Lakeland offers a meaningfully lower cost of living compared to Brandon. Housing, utilities, and taxes are all cheaper, adding up to $300-400 in potential monthly savings.
However, Brandon can still be a great fit for those prioritizing location, amenities, or specific neighborhoods. As always, we recommend visiting both cities and running the numbers for your specific situation.
For more details, read our full Cost of Living in Brandon (2025 Guide). We also have cost of living breakdowns for other popular Florida cities.
Brandon, FL vs. Lakeland, FL: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison between Brandon and Lakeland, Florida. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Brandon vs Lakeland in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how typical housing expenses compare between Brandon and Lakeland:
| Housing Type | Brandon | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,450 | $1,250 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $350,000 | $320,000 |
🏆 Winner: Lakeland. Housing costs tend to be 10-15% lower in Lakeland compared to Brandon.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills are a significant monthly expense. In Brandon, expect to pay around $180/month for a typical apartment. Lakeland utility costs average closer to $150/month.
Both cities have similar climates, so heating and cooling needs are comparable. However, Lakeland offers more public utility assistance programs for low-income residents.
🏆 Winner: Lakeland has a slight edge on utilities, especially for budget-conscious households.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery costs are fairly similar between Brandon and Lakeland. Expect to budget around $350-$450/month for a family of four in either city.
Restaurant prices are also comparable, with a nice dinner out averaging $50-60 for a couple. However, Brandon has a wider variety of dining options.
🏆 Winner: It’s a tie. Grocery and daily living costs are nearly identical.
4. Taxes and Fees
Florida has no state income tax, so that’s one less expense to worry about. However, both cities have property taxes to consider:
- Brandon property tax rate: 1.2%
- Lakeland property tax rate: 1.1%
In Brandon, HOA fees often include landscaping and trash, ranging from $200-400/month. Lakeland HOAs tend to be lower, around $100-300/month.
🏆 Winner: Lakeland. The combination of lower property taxes and HOA fees gives Lakeland the advantage.
5. Cost Summary Table
| Expense | Brandon | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,450 | $1,250 |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 |
| Transportation | $60 | $55 |
| Taxes & Fees | $300 | $200 |
| Misc | $200 | $200 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,255 |
Note: All income figures are expressed in gross monthly income (pre-tax). See our guide on Monthly Budget Examples for Brandon Residents for more details.
6. Lifestyle Fit
While Lakeland wins on pure cost, there are other factors to consider:
- Brandon offers more shopping, dining and entertainment options
- Lakeland has a more suburban feel with larger yards and more green space
- Brandon is 20 minutes closer to Tampa for commuters
- Lakeland has 10% more sunny days per year on average
Lakeland has more public transportation options, while Brandon is more car-dependent. Both are relatively quiet, family-friendly cities.
7. FAQ
Is Brandon more affordable than Lakeland?
No, Lakeland has a lower overall cost of living, by about 10-15%.
Which city has lower rent?
Lakeland rent prices are typically $100-200/month cheaper than Brandon.
Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
Lakeland home prices are about 5-10% lower on average. For a median 3BR, that’s a $30,000 difference.
8. Conclusion
For most households, Lakeland offers a meaningfully lower cost of living compared to Brandon. Housing, utilities, and taxes are all cheaper, adding up to $300-400 in potential monthly savings.
However, Brandon can still be a great fit for those prioritizing location, amenities, or specific neighborhoods. As always, we recommend visiting both cities and running the numbers for your specific situation.
For more details, read our full Cost of Living in Brandon (2025 Guide). We also have cost of living breakdowns for other popular Florida cities.