Median rent is 14% lower in Jacksonville ($1,465/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jacksonville, where the median home runs $293,700 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 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. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tampa, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Jacksonville is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.6 in Jacksonville vs 102.5 in Tampa (US national average = 100)
City A
Jacksonville, FL
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Jacksonville, FL?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$77,129
You'd need $2,129 more (3% higher).
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
Jacksonville
Florida
Tampa
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 $1,701/mo in Tampa (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 versus $293,700 in Jacksonville — 30% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Jacksonville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Jacksonville has cleaner air on average: 51.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Tampa if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,475/yr).
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,465/mo median).
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 51.0).
Is Jacksonville cheaper than Tampa?
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 Jacksonville vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. Jacksonville, FL has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Jacksonville or Tampa?
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL and $75,475 in Tampa, FL. Tampa, 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 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jacksonville or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Jacksonville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jacksonville, FL is equivalent to roughly $102,838 in Tampa, 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
