Median rent is 22% lower in Tucson ($1,145/mo vs $1,465/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tucson, where the median home runs $266,200 versus $293,700. Households earn more in Jacksonville ($69,872 vs $57,073 a year). Taken together, Tucson is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.9 against 99.6 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Jacksonville, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Tucson is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.9 in Tucson vs 99.6 in Jacksonville (US national average = 100)
City A
Jacksonville, FL
City B
Tucson, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Tucson, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Jacksonville, FL?
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$67,661
You could earn $7,339 less (10% 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
Jacksonville
Florida
Tucson
Arizona
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Tucson — median rent of $1,145/mo versus $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, a 22% difference. Median home values are within 9% of each other: $293,700 in Jacksonville and $266,200 in Tucson.
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
Tucson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tucson has cleaner air on average: 26.0 AQI (Good) compared to 51.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Tucson if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.9 vs 99.6).
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,872/yr).
Pick Tucson if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,145/mo median).
Pick Tucson if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 26.0).
Is Jacksonville cheaper than Tucson?
Tucson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.9 versus 99.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Tucson.
How much is rent in Jacksonville vs Tucson?
Median rent is $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL and $1,145/mo in Tucson, AZ. Tucson, AZ has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Jacksonville or Tucson?
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL and $57,073 in Tucson, AZ. 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?
Tucson, AZ has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 51.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jacksonville or Tucson?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tucson to match my Jacksonville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jacksonville, FL is equivalent to roughly $90,215 in Tucson, AZ (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
