Background Lymphocytes and cytokines in tumor microenvironment are the key to immunotherapy, The effect of brachytherapy on tumor microenvironment is not clear. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between the invasion of lymphocytes and cytokines in the tumor microenvironment and the interval after single brachytherapy hypofractionated radiotherapy (SBHFRT) and conventional fractionation radiotherapy (CFRT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Lewis tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into control, CFRT and SBHFRT groups. On the days 7 and 14 after radiation, the expression rates of CD4+, CD8+, Foxp3+, and CD86 + cells and levels of Ki-67 + protein were detected by immunohistochemical analysis, and the tumor necrosis rate was calculated. Following this, interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-12, and interferon-γ (INF-γ) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptosis rate was evaluated via flow cytometry. The tumor volume and tumor growth inhibition rate (TGIR) were calculated on day 14. Tumor metabolism was assessed via micro 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computer tomography. Results The tumor volume in the SBHFRT group reduced by 22.0% and TGIR increased by 92.2% (P < 0.05). Further, on days 7 and 14 after radiation, tumor metabolism, Ki-67 + and Foxp3 + expression rates, and IL-10 levels were lower and tumor necrosis and apoptosis rates; CD86+, CD4+, and CD8 + expression rates; and IL-12 and INF-γ levels were higher in SBHFRT group than in the CFRT group, particularly on day 7. Conclusion SBHFRT could lead to more accumulation of dendritic cells and anti-tumor lymphocytes and cytokines in the tumor tissue, and further reduce the aggregation of immunosuppressive lymphocytes and cytokines in the tumor tissue compared with CFRT, and the difference was the most obvious was day 7 after radiation. Hypofractionated radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy may be better for treating NSCLC, as observed on day 7 after radiation.