Living in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville is the 11th-largest city in the US, home to about 1.02 million people in 2025. It has grown 7.2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (99.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 1,017,689+7.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $293,7004.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,465/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $69,872median, per year
- Price level
- 99.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 66° / 92°lows 47° / 76°
- Average commute
- 24 min16% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Duval County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 16 ft
Metro area: Jacksonville, FL
Cost of living in Jacksonville
The median home in Jacksonville is worth $293,700 and the median household earns $69,872 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,465 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Jacksonville, FL metro area at 99.5, with housing at 109.8 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $74,600 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville weather
Average highs run from 66°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 47°F. It gets 48 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Jacksonville
People and work
The median resident is 36.5 years old, and 33% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.5267th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 33%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,362747.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1987median year
Who moves to Jacksonville, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Miami (Miami-Dade County), Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and Orlando (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Orlando (Orange County), Tampa (Hillsborough County) and San Diego (San Diego County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Duval County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, hurricane, tornado, inland flooding.
Home prices
+0.1% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Jacksonville, FL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
43% good days
6 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Jacksonville, FL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Jacksonville
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of North Florida 12 miles
- Jacksonville University 5 miles
- Edward Waters University in Jacksonville
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Jacksonville
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville International Airport JAX | 10 mi | 3,749,791 |
| Gainesville Regional Airport GNV | 57 mi | 290,563 |
| Daytona Beach International Airport DAB | 88 mi | 337,763 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Jacksonville
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 2 mi | 19,648 | $8,717 | n/a |
| University of North Florida | 12 mi | 13,359 | $11,689 | 69% |
| Jacksonville University | 5 mi | 2,930 | $28,424 | 49% |
| Edward Waters University | in town | 1,087 | $13,748 | 23% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Jacksonville
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 1, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 17 and the first frost comes around January 5.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Jacksonville NAS, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Jacksonville.
Wildfire smoke in Jacksonville
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Jacksonville on about 123 days a year, including about 8 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Jacksonville
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 394,370 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duval County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 130,054 | 203 | 19.1 |
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Jacksonville's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Jacksonville's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Houston, TX84% matchCompare
- Missouri City, TX82% matchCompare
- Pearland, TX80% matchCompare
- League City, TX78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Jacksonville
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Jacksonville
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
- Data 7 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 66°F.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 96 days a year reach 90°F.
Jacksonville report card from locals
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Jacksonville through locals' eyes
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Cities near Jacksonville
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, FL | 61 mi | 148,671 | $247,500 | 96.7 | Compare |
| Palm Coast, FL | 66 mi | 109,886 | $350,800 | 99.4 | Compare |
| Daytona Beach, FL | 88 mi | 88,471 | $287,700 | 99.4 | Compare |
| Deltona, FL | 96 mi | 100,267 | $285,400 | 99.4 | Compare |
| Savannah, GA | 121 mi | 149,440 | $248,900 | 95.2 | Compare |
| Orlando, FL | 126 mi | 333,888 | $394,100 | 101.4 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Fruit Cove, Nocatee and Asbury Lake lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Jacksonville.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Jacksonville with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Jacksonville a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, no state income tax on wages, 7 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Jacksonville side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Jacksonville?
The Census Bureau estimates Jacksonville had 1,017,689 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 949,607 in April 2020 (+7.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Jacksonville?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $74,600 in the Jacksonville area. The median household here earns $69,872.
When is the best time to visit Jacksonville?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 66°F for daytime highs.
What county is Jacksonville in?
Jacksonville is in Duval County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Jacksonville in?
Jacksonville is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Jacksonville?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Jacksonville. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Jacksonville, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Jacksonville NAS, FL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.