For many, Jacksonville, FL, is the best place on earth. It’s got excellent weather, a beautiful coastline, and a diverse population. The nightlife in Jacksonville is outstanding as well, with plenty to see and do. It also gets a solid B for schools and a B+ for being suitable for families. But what about the cost of living in Jacksonville, FL? How does it stack up to the rest of the United States? Is it cheaper, more expensive, or just about average? Below we’ll take a look and answer this vital question.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The Cost of Living in Jacksonville, FL
It’s one thing to know that, for example, whether the cost of living is higher or lower in a specific city. For some, though, one higher cost might not make a difference, while it may be very problematic for others. Commuting costs can add a considerable amount to the cost of living for a young professional. On the other hand, this won’t affect a retiree nearly as much as they don’t commute. Below are the costs of living numbers for costs the average American pays:
Overall = 93.5/100 (Affordable)
Overall, Jacksonville gets a score of 93.5/100, nearly 7 points lower than the national average. When looking at this score (and the rest below), one thing to keep in mind is that 100 represents the national average. For example, if the score is 93/100, it’s below the national average by 7 points. (That’s good!) If the score is 107/100, it’s 7 points above the national average. (That’s not so good.)
Compared to the rest of Florida, Jacksonville also makes out better since Florida rates a 102.8/100. In short, the overall cost of living here is slightly below the national average. Seeing as Jacksonville is on the coast, a coveted location, that’s pretty good.
Cost of Housing Living in Jacksonville = 78/100 (Affordable)
One of the reasons Jacksonville gets a lower overall is thanks to housing costs, which are surprisingly affordable. The city comes in at an excellent score of 78/100 nationally. It’s also lower by far than the rest of Florida, which gets a 102.6/100. The number of renters versus people who own their homes in Jacksonville is almost even. 56% own and 44% rent, with a median rent of $1065. (The national average is $1062.) Jacksonville is a ‘dense suburban’ city with a high population based on its size. Rent or own, you’ll pay less for your home here. As a side note, the cost of storage units in Jacksonville is also very affordable. They’re a great way to store extra stuff of all kinds and give yourself some valuable extra space. (Both at home and at your work!)
Median Home Cost = $180,000.00 (Affordable)
Yet another area that helps Jacksonville’s overall score is the median home cost here. Depending on the source, it’s between $173.000 and $180,000, compared to the national average of just over $231,000. Jacksonville is again lower than the Florida average also, which stands at $237,000. Considering Jacksonville has fantastic beaches and amenities, the housing prices here aren’t bad. They’re much better than Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and most other large Florida cities.
Cost of Healthcare Living in Jacksonville = 98/100 (Affordable)
Another area where Jacksonville beats the national average is healthcare. However, with a 97.1/100, we don’t beat it by much. (We’re also lower than the overall Florida score at 98/100.) If you’re a senior looking for the city with the lowest healthcare costs, Jacksonville might not be your best choice. However, it’s still lower slightly than the average (which beats being higher).
Groceries = 99.2/100 (Affordable)
In Jacksonville, the good news is that grocery costs are less than the national average. The bad news is that they’re only slightly below that number, with a score of 99.2/100. A little more good news, though, is that, compared to Florida’s overall grocery score of 102.8/100, we’re also lower. In other words, you won’t save a lot on groceries in Jacksonville, but you’re not going to pay more.
Transportation = 101.4/100 (Expensive)
We mentioned earlier that some costs affect families more than others. Transportation/commuting is one of those costs. If you’re young and working, these will affect you more than a retiree, for example. Florida overall scores a 112.6/100, which isn’t great by any means. Jacksonville, though, scores 101.4/100, just slightly higher than the national numbers. That’s not fantastic, but it’s not terrible either. By the way, the average commuting time in Jacksonville is 26 minutes per day. That’s not bad at all, with less than 15 minutes on the road in each direction. (Sadly, only about 10% of Jacksonville citizens carpool.)
Cost of Utilities Living in Jacksonville = 102.8/100 (Expensive)
The cost of utilities here, while not bad, isn’t high. That’s because we score 102.8/100, almost 3 points higher than the US average. Most of this cost, not surprisingly, goes to paying electricity for A/C, a necessity in this part of the country. We’re also slightly higher than Florida’s overall of 101.3/100. While not cheap, utility costs in Jacksonville won’t make you feel like someone robbed you. They’re another reason why the cost of living in Jacksonville, FL, is reasonable.
Miscellaneous Expenses Living in Jacksonville = 100.4/100 (Average)
Miscellaneous expenses are sometimes hard to determine. They include things like household supplies, clothing, vacations, taxes, and more. You don’t see them as often, but they factor into the overall cost of living you’ll pay. Luckily, in Jacksonville, we’re almost the same as the national average, 100.4/100. That’s slightly higher than the Florida average of 96.9/100.
And there you have it, the cost of living in Jacksonville, FL, broke down for easy comparison! We hope it helps make some of your decisions more manageable and more straightforward. By the way, if you’d like to find out more about Jacksonville, check out Living in Jacksonville, FL Pros and Cons. It’s got all the info you need to know about this fantastic Florida city, both good and not-so-good. From food to entertainment, diversity, amenities, and crime, you’ll get an unbiased snapshot of the city. Until then, best of luck with whatever you decide!