746 movers in Lakeland
"$2000.00 for a 2 mile move that was supposed to include unpacking and installing the beds and furniture. The 2 clowns needed help unloading after showing up hours late and spent half the time smoking cigarettes....total scam artists from Russia."
"I recently moved from Minnesota to Georgia. I used Sky Moving and Storage. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!! I wish I would have found this review site first. The pickup went well, but after they have your things and your down payment, it goes into a ..."
"If I could leave zero stars I would. I only hope my review will help others avoid the cluster I dealt with today. I got an estimate from the company, provided them a thorough inventory list, checked the list with the rep (Mark) several times and ..."
"Made 5 appointments with these guys and no one showed up. Then they called us yesterday and said truck was on its way and we needed cash or they would not pick up! Called over 50 times and just got the run around! Total scammers"
"My cross country move started with US Moving Services. They made a lot of empty promises, sold my contract to not one but two other vendors, stored my property for nearly a week before delivering and damaged and lost a lot of items. A racket and a..."
"I hired Empire Moving Group who hired Insync Movers. On Oct 13th our things were picked up. I was told it would take 5-10 business days. Yesterday was the 10th business day. When I called I was told that my things are still here in Michigan and th..."
"My family just moved from NJ to TX. I booked Move Quick many months before the move and paid the hefty deposit they required. I confirmed the move date with them several weeks before and gave them a complete inventory by the deadline given. Then, ..."
What to know when moving to Lakeland, FL
TL;DR: Lakeland at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 49.8% of residents are renters and the median household income is $49,210.
- The Major Draw:
- Affordable housing with a median gross rent of $1,100 and a median home value of $138,700.
- The Reality Check:
- A poverty rate of 22.8% indicates some economic challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 0.1% use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $1,100/month in rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Lakeland has a population of 33,460, with a notable 49.8% of residents renting their homes. The community is characterized by a relatively low education level, with only 15.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a poverty rate of 22.8%, the economic landscape presents some challenges for residents.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for a highly educated population or strong public transit options, as the transit use is just 0.1%.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- With a median gross rent of $1,100, you can find affordable housing options in the area.
- The median home value is $138,700, making it feasible for many to own.
- The poverty rate stands at 22.8%, which reflects some financial challenges in the community.
- Nearly half of the residents, 49.8%, are renters, indicating a balanced housing market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Schools & Higher Ed
There are 9 higher education institutions in the surrounding area, providing various educational opportunities.
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Florida Southern College
- Southeastern University
- Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
- Empire Beauty School-Lakeland
- Keiser University-Lakeland
- Traviss Technical College
- Maynard A. Traviss Technical College - Central Florida Aerospace Academy
- NUC University - Florida Technical College - Lakeland
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is unavailable, there are plenty of nearby outdoor spots to enjoy.
- Bonnet Springs Park - 4.9 stars (2,688 reviews)
- Munn Park - 4.5 stars (2,436 reviews)
- Barnett Family Park - 4.7 stars (2,076 reviews)
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park - 4.5 stars (3,129 reviews)
- Florida Children's Museum - 4.6 stars (1,253 reviews)
Source: Google Places API (New).
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Polk County, the unemployment rate is 5.5%, with 341,767 people employed out of a labor force of 361,713.
- Unemployment rate: 5.5% as of December 2025
- Employed: 341,767
- Labor force: 361,713
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.