Median rent is 7% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,465/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $293,700. Households earn more in Jacksonville ($69,872 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Jacksonville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.6 against 99.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Jacksonville, FL.
City A
Houston, TX
City B
Jacksonville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Jacksonville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Houston, TX?
Equivalent salary in Jacksonville, FL
$74,933
You could earn $67 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Houston
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Houston at $1,361/mo compared to $1,465/mo in Jacksonville (7% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $277,800 in Houston 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.
Houston
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 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,872/yr).
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 51.0).
Is Houston cheaper than Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.6 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Jacksonville.
How much is rent in Houston vs Jacksonville?
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Houston, TX and $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Houston or Jacksonville?
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston, TX and $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville, FL 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 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Houston or Jacksonville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Jacksonville to match my Houston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Houston, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,911 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
