City comparison
Lakeland, FL vs Spokane, WA
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Spokane, WA are 3.3% higher than in Lakeland, FL. Someone earning $100,000 in Lakeland, FL would need about $103,300 in Spokane, WA to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,230 a month in Lakeland, FL and $1,193 in Spokane, WA.
- Estimated state income tax on $100,000 is close: $0 a year in FL and $0 in WA.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by +0.5% moving from Lakeland, FL to Spokane, WA ($106,437 → $106,991), while prices change by +3.3%. Net effect of the transfer: −2.7% in real buying power.
- Lakeland, FL: price level 97.1 (cheaper)
- Spokane, WA: price level 100.3 (about average)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 97.1 | 100.3 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $103,299 in Spokane | $96,806 in Lakeland |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,230/mo | $1,193/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $79,180 | $79,180 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $0 (FL) | $0 (WA) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 19% | 18% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $46,140 | $54,660 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Rest of U.S. | Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID |
Rent areas: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA and Spokane, WA HUD Metro FMR Area. Metro areas: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL and Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Lakeland | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 95.9 | 97.1 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 105.0 |
| Utilities | 86.9 | 91.2 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.5 |
| Overall | 97.1 | 100.3 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Lakeland, FL → Spokane, WA
Same pay buys less
Buying power −3.2%; rent takes 18% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
59 Fair offer
Spokane, WA → Lakeland, FL
Same pay goes further
Buying power +3.3%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
79 Strong offer
On the GS pay scale?
Lakeland, FL is in the Rest of U.S. pay area; Spokane, WA is in Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID. The last column shows what a transfer from Lakeland, FL to Spokane, WA at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Real change, Lakeland → Spokane |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $61,722 | $62,044 | −2.7% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $74,678 | $75,068 | −2.7% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $89,508 | $89,974 | −2.7% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $106,437 | $106,991 | −2.7% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $125,776 | $126,432 | −2.7% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Lakeland, FL | Spokane, WA | Spokane pay in Lakeland dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,420 | $98,800 | $95,644 (+89.7%) |
| Software Developers | $122,200 | $130,690 | $126,516 (+3.5%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,820 | $86,350 | $83,592 (+8.8%) |
| Registered Nurses | $84,030 | $111,750 | $108,181 (+28.7%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.