Median rent is 0% lower in Jacksonville ($1,465/mo vs $1,472/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jacksonville, where the median home runs $293,700 versus $320,700. Households earn more in Dallas ($70,518 vs $69,872 a year). Taken together, Jacksonville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.6 against 102.5 — about 3% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Jacksonville is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.6 in Jacksonville vs 102.5 in Dallas (US national average = 100)
City A
Dallas, TX
City B
Jacksonville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Jacksonville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Dallas, TX?
Equivalent salary in Jacksonville, FL
$72,918
You could earn $2,082 less (3% 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
Dallas
Texas
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,472/mo in Dallas and $1,465/mo in Jacksonville. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $320,700 in Dallas and $293,700 in Jacksonville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Dallas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Jacksonville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Jacksonville has cleaner air on average: 51.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Is Dallas cheaper than Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.6 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Jacksonville.
How much is rent in Dallas vs Jacksonville?
Median rent is $1,472/mo in Dallas, TX and $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville, FL has the lower rent by about 0%.
Which has higher salaries — Dallas or Jacksonville?
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas, TX and $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL. Dallas, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Jacksonville, FL has better air quality on average: 51.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Dallas or Jacksonville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Jacksonville to match my Dallas income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dallas, TX is equivalent to roughly $97,224 in Jacksonville, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
