City comparison
Anchorage, AK vs Lakeland, FL
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Anchorage, AK are 8.5% higher than in Lakeland, FL. Someone earning $100,000 in Lakeland, FL would need about $108,500 in Anchorage, AK to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,243 a month in Anchorage, AK and $1,230 in Lakeland, FL.
- Estimated state income tax on $100,000 is close: $0 a year in AK and $0 in FL.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −11.6% moving from Anchorage, AK to Lakeland, FL ($120,348 → $106,437), while prices change by −7.9%. Net effect of the transfer: −4.0% in real buying power.
- Anchorage, AK: price level 105.4 (pricier)
- Lakeland, FL: price level 97.1 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 105.4 | 97.1 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $92,147 in Lakeland | $108,523 in Anchorage |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,243/mo | $1,230/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $79,180 | $79,180 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $0 (AK) | $0 (FL) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 19% | 19% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $60,200 | $46,140 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | State of Alaska | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Anchorage, AK HUD Metro FMR Area and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA. Metro areas: Anchorage, AK and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Anchorage | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 109.9 | 95.9 |
| Goods | 107.3 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 111.8 | 86.9 |
| Other services | 103.3 | 98.9 |
| Overall | 105.4 | 97.1 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Anchorage, AK → Lakeland, FL
Same pay goes further
Buying power +8.5%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
95 Strong offer
Lakeland, FL → Anchorage, AK
Same pay buys less
Buying power −7.9%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
44 Weak offer
On the GS pay scale?
Anchorage, AK is in the State of Alaska pay area; Lakeland, FL is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Anchorage, AK to Lakeland, FL at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Real change, Anchorage → Lakeland |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $69,789 | $61,722 | −4.0% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $84,439 | $74,678 | −4.0% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $101,206 | $89,508 | −4.0% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $120,348 | $106,437 | −4.0% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $142,216 | $125,776 | −4.0% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Lakeland pay in Anchorage dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $79,270 | $50,420 | $54,717 (−31.0%) |
| Software Developers | $104,030 | $122,200 | $132,615 (+27.5%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $82,150 | $76,820 | $83,367 (+1.5%) |
| Registered Nurses | $115,290 | $84,030 | $91,192 (−20.9%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.