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Swan Lake Village, which opened in March 2023, added 88 much-needed affordable housing units to Lakeland. | Blue Sky Communities
2-minute read
It’s not just eggs that have gotten more expensive lately. Lakeland renters are spending a larger share of their paychecks on housing, leaving less money for groceries, gas and other bills.
Between 2021 and 2023, the median rent for a two-bedroom home in Lakeland increased by 24.7%, but the median household income in Lakeland only rose by 3.82%, based on the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Many local residents — including essential workers — are feeling the strain.
Almost two-thirds of Lakeland renters (61.6%) are considered “cost-burdened,” spending more than 30% of their monthly incomes on housing costs.
More than a fifth of Lakeland renters (22.7%) are “severely cost-burdened,” spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs.
How much is rent in Lakeland?
The median gross rent in Lakeland was $1,466 per month in 2023, according to the Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey, released in December.
The census data includes all types of rental housing, from single rooms and aging mobile homes to luxury estates.
Longtime renters typically pay less than those starting new leases.
The graphic below shows the range in Lakeland based on U.S. Census surveys of 19,983 renter households. The margin of error was plus or minus $176. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow
City officials are taking a two-pronged approach to bridge the gap.
More affordable housing construction: “Our main focus is increasing the housing supply, and getting more of a variety of income levels,” said Teresa Maio, assistant director of Lakeland Community & Economic Development.
Multifamily projects often cater to renters earning close to the median household income of $76,400.
“But we know that there’s a real need for the lower levels, to increase that supply level, because that’s what’s squeezing out those who are most in need,” Maio said.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Cindy's reporting for LkldNow focuses on Lakeland city government. Previously, she was a crime reporter, City Hall reporter and chief political writer for newspapers including the Albuquerque Journal and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She spent a year as a community engagement coordinator for the City of Lakeland before joining LkldNow in 2023. Reach her at cindy@lkldnow.com or 561-212-3429.
I came from St.Louis Mo. It was so beautiful went I got there, but made me want to leave. It a battle ground, fights, shooting, killing, burglaries, arsons. My family and I, was victims of them all. My brother became missing and still is, my sister kidnapped, I almost got kidnapped, but both of us got away. Empty building everywhere! Very little projects to beautify the city. My dad worked at a big name company there. The company threaten to bomb my dad’s car if he didn’t leave the company. He did. I had enough, and I took my kids out and left. Came to Florida, first living in Mulberry, then move to Lakeland, seeing that it was more to do for my kids. Got jobs, and mom n dad, sister n brother, uncles ,all came behind us. Already had family in Mulberry, that’s who we stayed with. But now, some of them move to Lakeland. They were afraid to at first, thought it was too much crime in Lakeland, until we came. We moved here, my kids got degrees, and are productive. Shree Chamberlain, that’s my daughter over the ALZHEIMER’S walk for Polk, so proud of her.I love it here, you guys showing you care. Keep up the good work, especially love what you are doing for the homeless. Just send me a cheaper place of dwelling I’ll be good. If you have anyone to give assistant to get a house, not apartment for rent according to income, would be great! I’ve put my time in being employed here, now want to retire in a nice safe affordable home, that would make the rest history for my family. Keep up the good work, and keep us beautiful.
I came from St.Louis Mo. It was so beautiful went I got there, but made me want to leave. It a battle ground, fights, shooting, killing, burglaries, arsons. My family and I, was victims of them all. My brother became missing and still is, my sister kidnapped, I almost got kidnapped, but both of us got away. Empty building everywhere! Very little projects to beautify the city. My dad worked at a big name company there. The company threaten to bomb my dad’s car if he didn’t leave the company. He did. I had enough, and I took my kids out and left. Came to Florida, first living in Mulberry, then move to Lakeland, seeing that it was more to do for my kids. Got jobs, and mom n dad, sister n brother, uncles ,all came behind us. Already had family in Mulberry, that’s who we stayed with. But now, some of them move to Lakeland. They were afraid to at first, thought it was too much crime in Lakeland, until we came. We moved here, my kids got degrees, and are productive. Shree Chamberlain, that’s my daughter over the ALZHEIMER’S walk for Polk, so proud of her.I love it here, you guys showing you care. Keep up the good work, especially love what you are doing for the homeless. Just send me a cheaper place of dwelling I’ll be good. If you have anyone to give assistant to get a house, not apartment for rent according to income, would be great! I’ve put my time in being employed here, now want to retire in a nice safe affordable home, that would make the rest history for my family. Keep up the good work, and keep us beautiful.