City comparison
Harrisburg, PA vs Lakeland, FL
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Harrisburg, PA are 1.6% higher than in Lakeland, FL. Someone earning $100,000 in Lakeland, FL would need about $101,600 in Harrisburg, PA to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,212 a month in Harrisburg, PA and $1,230 in Lakeland, FL.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $3,070 a year higher in Harrisburg, PA than in Lakeland, FL.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −2.0% moving from Harrisburg, PA to Lakeland, FL ($108,592 → $106,437), while prices change by −1.5%. Net effect of the transfer: −0.5% in real buying power.
- Harrisburg, PA: price level 98.7 (about average)
- 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
| Harrisburg, PA | Lakeland, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 98.7 | 97.1 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $98,470 in Lakeland | $101,553 in Harrisburg |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,212/mo | $1,230/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $76,110 | $79,180 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,070 (PA) | $0 (FL) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 19% | 19% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $49,610 | $46,140 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MSA and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA. Metro areas: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Harrisburg | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 96.3 | 95.9 |
| Goods | 100.7 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 108.1 | 86.9 |
| Other services | 97.7 | 98.9 |
| Overall | 98.7 | 97.1 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Harrisburg, PA → Lakeland, FL
Roughly even
Buying power +1.6%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax −$3,070/yr.
74 Strong offer
Lakeland, FL → Harrisburg, PA
Roughly even
Buying power −1.5%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax +$3,070/yr.
64 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Harrisburg, PA is in the Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA pay area; Lakeland, FL is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Harrisburg, PA to Lakeland, FL at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Harrisburg, PA | Lakeland, FL | Real change, Harrisburg → Lakeland |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $62,972 | $61,722 | −0.5% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $76,190 | $74,678 | −0.5% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $91,320 | $89,508 | −0.5% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $108,592 | $106,437 | −0.5% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $128,323 | $125,776 | −0.5% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Harrisburg, PA | Lakeland, FL | Lakeland pay in Harrisburg dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $77,160 | $50,420 | $51,203 (−33.6%) |
| Software Developers | $109,470 | $122,200 | $124,098 (+13.4%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,510 | $76,820 | $78,013 (+2.0%) |
| Registered Nurses | $96,770 | $84,030 | $85,335 (−11.8%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.