Median rent is 14% lower in Jacksonville ($1,465/mo vs $1,711/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jacksonville, where the median home runs $293,700 versus $439,600. Households earn more in Atlanta ($85,652 vs $69,872 a year). Taken together, Jacksonville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.6 against 100.5 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Atlanta, GA.
Cost of living verdict
Jacksonville is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.6 in Jacksonville vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US national average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Jacksonville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Jacksonville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Jacksonville, FL
$74,376
You could earn $624 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Atlanta
Georgia
Jacksonville
Florida
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Jacksonville at $1,465/mo compared to $1,711/mo in Atlanta (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Atlanta: the median home is $439,600 versus $293,700 in Jacksonville — 33% more expensive.
Metric
Atlanta
Jacksonville
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Atlanta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Jacksonville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Atlanta averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate) and Jacksonville averages 51.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,652/yr).
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,465/mo median).
Jacksonville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.6 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Jacksonville.
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville, FL has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL. Atlanta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Jacksonville, FL has better air quality on average: 51.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to roughly $99,168 in Jacksonville, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
