Moving to East Lake, FL (Tampa): Living in East Lake Guide

East Lake is the neighborhood just northeast of Tampa where I-4 meets US 301, best known as the home of the Florida State Fairgrounds. It grew up in the 1950s around a lake of the same name and today mixes those original block ranch homes with newer subdivisions, townhomes and apartments. Because it sits right on I-4 and I-75, it is one of the easiest places in Hillsborough County to get anywhere from.

East Lake suits first-time buyers and renters looking for prices below the Tampa average, commuters who split time between Tampa, Brandon and the I-4 corridor, and families who want a yard without a long drive into the city. It is unincorporated, with a Tampa mailing address, and is part of the larger East Lake-Orient Park area that the Census Bureau tracks as one community.

Planning a move to East Lake? Call our Tampa team at 813-544-0048 or get your price online.

Where Is East Lake?

East Lake is an unincorporated community in north-central Hillsborough County, about 4 miles northeast of Tampa. For Census purposes it is combined with Orient Park and Del Rio to form the East Lake-Orient Park census-designated place (CDP). That larger area is bordered by the City of Tampa to the south and west, Temple Terrace to the north, Thonotosassa and Mango to the east, and Brandon to the southeast. The Tampa Bypass Canal runs north to south through it.

The original East Lake community is bounded by Tampa city limits on the west, Del Rio on the north, US 301 on the east and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the south. Most addresses use ZIP code 33610 (East Lake) or 33619 (Orient Park).

Few places in the county have better highway access:

I-4 runs through the middle of the area: about 8 miles west to downtown Tampa and 27 miles east to Lakeland.
US 301 crosses I-4 near the center of the CDP, heading 9 miles south to Riverview and 21 miles northeast to Zephyrhills.
I-75 forms the eastern edge, running 42 miles south to Bradenton and 93 miles north to Ocala.
Orient Road and MLK Jr. Boulevard are the busy local routes past the Seminole Hard Rock and toward Tampa.

The nearest major airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA), across town on Tampa’s west side. If you are comparing areas, see our pages for Brandon movers and Temple Terrace.

East Lake Population & Demographics

The Census Bureau reports data for East Lake-Orient Park as a whole, not for East Lake alone, so the figures below describe the full CDP. It counted 28,050 residents in the 2020 Census, up from 22,753 in 2010. The newer American Community Survey estimate (2020–2024) was about 29,213.

It is a young community. The 2020 Census found a median age of 32.8, and 37.3% of its 10,425 households had children under 18. Incomes are below the county and state medians, which is part of why homes and rents here cost less than in much of Tampa. About one in five residents (21.2%) was born outside the U.S.

Measure	East Lake-Orient Park CDP	Florida
Population (2020 Census)	28,050	—
Population (ACS 2020–2024)	29,213	—
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	34.5	42.6
Median household income	$56,573	$74,568
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	24.9%	34.2%
Persons below poverty line	17.8%	12.6%
Persons per household	2.7	2.5
Median value of owner-occupied homes	$233,200	$359,000
Mean travel time to work	26.8 minutes	28.1 minutes
Land area	15.8 sq. mi.	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 and 2020 Census via Wikipedia; Census Reporter, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates for East Lake-Orient Park CDP and Florida.

Is East Lake Safe?

East Lake is unincorporated, so the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement. We did not find a crime report specific to East Lake or East Lake-Orient Park that we could cite, so we won’t put a number on it. Conditions can vary a lot from one block to the next in an area this size.

To check a specific address, use the Sheriff’s Office Crime Search Map. Drive the street at night and on a weekend, and if you are renting, ask the property manager about lighting, gates and parking.

Cost of Living in East Lake

East Lake is one of the more affordable places to live this close to Tampa. Housing is where you will notice the difference most.

Home Prices

The Census Bureau’s median value of owner-occupied homes in East Lake-Orient Park was $233,200 for 2020–2024, well below the Florida figure of $359,000. For recent sales, Redfin reports that the median sale price in ZIP 33619, which covers Orient Park and nearby areas, was about $317,000 over the three months ending August 2026, up 10.6% from a year earlier, with 80 homes sold in August. In the original East Lake Park subdivision, Redfin’s median over the same period was about $422,000, up 4.1%, but very few homes sell there each month, so that number swings.

For comparison, Redfin’s median for the City of Tampa over the same three months was $479,000. Newer townhomes and updated houses sit at the top of the local range, and older block homes that need work sit at the bottom.

Rent

Zumper put the average rent in East Lake-Orient Park at $1,495 a month in September 2026, with averages of $1,550 for a two-bedroom, $1,995 for a three-bedroom and $2,250 for a four-bedroom. By contrast, RentCafe reported an average of $2,031 for an apartment in the City of Tampa as of August 31, 2026. Local rental averages can move quickly because the number of listings is small.

Best Neighborhoods in East Lake

East Lake-Orient Park covers about 16 square miles, and it has a few distinct parts. Here is how we would break it down.

East Lake Park

This is the original East Lake: a 325-home subdivision built in the 1950s around East Lake, a 100-acre lake also known as Bellows Lake. Expect mid-century block ranch homes on established lots, some close to the lake. It suits first-time buyers and anyone who likes a single-story home with a yard. Older homes can have narrow doorways and small hallways, so measure your big furniture before you move.

Orient Park

Orient Park, the part of the area that uses ZIP code 33619, mixes older homes with newer subdivisions, townhomes and apartment communities. Redfin counted 80 home sales in the ZIP code in August 2026 alone, so there is usually something on the market. It suits commuters and renters who want easy highway access and more choices of housing type.

Del Rio and the Northern Edge

Del Rio, on the north side of the CDP toward Temple Terrace, is quieter and more residential, with homes near the Tampa Bypass Canal. It suits families who want to be close to Temple Terrace and the University of South Florida area. Some homes here sit on lakes or canals with long yards, so ask about flood zones.

Weather & Climate in East Lake

East Lake shares Tampa’s climate. Using NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tampa International Airport, Current Results reports an average annual high of 83°F and an average low of 66°F. Mid-January is the coolest time, with highs around 71°F and lows around 52°F. July and August are the hottest, averaging highs of 91°F and lows of 77°F. Tampa averages about 94 days a year in the 90s, 49.5 inches of rain and about 83 days with thunderstorms. August is usually the wettest month and November the driest.

East Lake is inland, but hurricane season (June through November) still matters. Hillsborough County changed its evacuation zones for 2026, and some areas near major roads that were never in a zone before were added to Zone E. All manufactured and mobile homes in the county are always in Zone A. Look up your address at HCFL.gov/HEAT.

Best months to move: October through April for comfortable weather. Avoid the Florida State Fair’s 12-day run in February if you can, because traffic around I-4 and US 301 gets heavy.

Things to Do in East Lake

Florida State Fairgrounds and the Florida State Fair

The Florida State Fair has been held at its current home, at I-4 and US 301, since 1977. It usually runs about 12 days in February and is the first state fair of each calendar year in the U.S.; the 2027 fair is scheduled for February 4 through 15. The fairgrounds host equestrian events, shows and other events the rest of the year too.

Cracker Country

Cracker Country, on the fairgrounds, is Tampa’s only living history museum. Its buildings date from the late 1800s and show what pioneer life in Florida looked like. It runs field trips and homeschool programs.

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

The big outdoor concert venue on the fairgrounds hosts major concerts. It is a fun night out and a real traffic factor on show nights, so check the calendar before you plan a move.

Eureka Springs Conservation Park

This county park at 6400 Eureka Springs Road was started in 1938 as a botanical garden of rare tropical plants and is now the only botanical garden in the county park system. Its 31 acres include the largest publicly owned fern collection in Florida, a rose garden, an orchid room and boardwalks through a floodplain forest.

Veterans Memorial Park & Museum

Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park and museum at 3602 N. US 301 honors veterans of every era, with memorials from the Spanish-American War through Iraq and Afghanistan. Walking paths and fitness stations run along the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

The Seminole Hard Rock at 5223 Orient Road is the area’s biggest entertainment draw, with a casino, the Hard Rock Event Center and a long list of restaurants.

Where to Eat in East Lake

Council Oak Steaks & Seafood (Orient Road)

Council Oak is a fine-dining steak and seafood restaurant inside the Seminole Hard Rock at 5223 Orient Road. It is the spot for a celebration dinner once the move is done. The resort also has casual choices like the Hard Rock Cafe and Rise Kitchen & Deli.

La Segunda Bakery (Ybor City)

A short drive west, La Segunda has been baking Cuban bread in Ybor City since 1915 at 2512 N. 15th Street. Pick up a loaf and some pastries for the first morning in your new kitchen, or order a party tray for your first get-together in the new house.

Columbia Restaurant (Ybor City)

The Columbia at 2117 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City has been family owned and operated since 1905 and bills itself as Florida’s oldest restaurant. It covers an entire city block with 15 dining rooms and seating for up to 1,700. Go for the Spanish and Cuban classics and stay for the flamenco show.

Jobs & Economy

East Lake’s location is its biggest economic asset. From here you can reach downtown Tampa, Brandon, Temple Terrace and the I-4 corridor quickly, and the mean commute for East Lake-Orient Park is 26.8 minutes, a bit shorter than the Florida average. The Seminole Hard Rock and the Florida State Fairgrounds are major local destinations, and the old East Lake Square Mall site was converted into an office park called NetPark Tampa Bay after the mall closed in 1998.

Across the region, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council focuses on information technology, defense and security, corporate headquarters, distribution and logistics, financial and professional services, life sciences and healthcare, and manufacturing. Tampa General Hospital, one of the region’s largest employers, has about 15,000 team members and providers. MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, is across town in South Tampa.

Schools in East Lake

Public schools are run by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. The area’s main public high school is C. Leon King High School at 6815 N. 56th Street, an IB World School that also offers the Cambridge AICE diploma and an Academy of Finance. Elementary and middle school zones vary a lot across the CDP, so check the district’s school locator for any address you are considering.

For college, the University of South Florida, founded in 1956, is a short drive north, and Hillsborough College has several campuses around the county, including its Brandon campus to the southeast.

East Lake Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County (unincorporated)
Census area	East Lake-Orient Park CDP (East Lake, Orient Park, Del Rio)
ZIP codes	33610 (East Lake), 33619 (Orient Park)
Mailing address	Tampa, FL
Area codes	813 and 656 (656 overlay added in 2022)
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Main highways	I-4, I-75, US 301
Law enforcement	Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Public high school	King High School (IB and AICE)
Known for	Florida State Fairgrounds, Seminole Hard Rock

Moving to East Lake: Tips From Our Crew

Check the event calendar. The Florida State Fair in February, concerts at the amphitheatre and big nights at the Hard Rock all bring heavy traffic to I-4, US 301 and Orient Road. Pick a date that avoids them if you can.
Plan truck parking on older streets. Many streets in East Lake Park have no sidewalks and narrow shoulders. Tell us about your street so we can plan where the truck will sit without blocking neighbors.
Measure before moving day. 1950s block homes often have narrower doorways and hallways than newer houses. Measure sectionals, armoires and king-size beds, and we will plan to take apart what needs it.
Apartment moves need a plan. Apartment complexes often have walk-up stairs and set move-in hours. Ask the office about elevator or stair access, parking and whether they need a certificate of insurance, which we provide free.
Use the highways to your advantage. If you are heading out of state, East Lake’s spot on I-4 and I-75 makes for a quick start. We load in the morning and get the truck on the interstate before the afternoon rush.
Start early in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms pop up fast from June through September. We like to begin loading first thing and keep your things covered between the house and the truck.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to East Lake

How much do movers cost in East Lake?

It depends on how much you are moving, how far, stairs, packing and the date. A one-bedroom apartment and a four-bedroom house are very different jobs. For an accurate number, get a free quote. Call 813-544-0048 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can also see how our East Lake moving crew prices and plans local jobs.

Is East Lake part of the City of Tampa?

No. East Lake is unincorporated Hillsborough County, even though most addresses use a Tampa mailing address. The county handles services, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement. For Census purposes it is part of East Lake-Orient Park.

Is East Lake affordable?

Compared with much of Tampa, yes. The Census Bureau’s median home value for East Lake-Orient Park was $233,200 for 2020–2024, and Zumper put average rent at $1,495 a month in September 2026. Recent sale prices are higher than the Census figure, so check current listings on your street.

Does the State Fair affect moving in February?

It can. The fair runs about 12 days in February at I-4 and US 301, and traffic around the fairgrounds gets heavy. If you are moving near the fairgrounds that month, pick a weekday morning and let us know so we can plan the route.

Do you do long-distance moves from East Lake?

Yes. Our long-distance moves come with a binding estimate, so the price never changes after booking, plus your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew door to door and a guaranteed delivery date. There is never a rescheduling fee.

Move to East Lake With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our Tampa office serves all of Hillsborough County. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. Our Owner’s Promise means you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We handle apartment moves, full homes, packing and storage, and military families get 5% off.

See how our East Lake movers plan around fair traffic and tight older streets, or call 813-544-0048. An owner will call you back within 15 minutes.

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Moving to East Lake, FL: Living in East Lake Guide