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Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Jacksonville, FL

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

3.2% Jacksonville, FL is more expensive overall
14.0% 14.0% more expensive housing
1.0% 1.0% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 14.0% more
Columbus
86
Jacksonville
98
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Columbus
96
Jacksonville
97
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Columbus
98
Jacksonville
98
🏥 Healthcare 2.1% cheaper
Columbus
94
Jacksonville
92
⚡ Utilities 7.4% more
Columbus
95
Jacksonville
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Columbus, OH Jacksonville, FL Difference
Overall Cost Index93963.2% more
Housing869814.0% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,100$1,30018.2% more
Median Home Price$260,000$310,00019.2% more
Groceries9697~Same
Transportation9898~Same
Healthcare94922.1% less
Utilities951027.4% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Columbus, OH Jacksonville, FL
State Income Tax3.50% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax5.75%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.41%0.80%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
Jacksonville, FL
$63,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Jacksonville costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Jacksonville to maintain your Columbus lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Columbus (93) vs Jacksonville (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Columbus3.8%
Jacksonville3.7%
Job Growth (YoY)
Columbus2.8%
Jacksonville3.1%
Top Industries
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech
JacksonvilleFinance, Logistics, Military

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Columbus23 min
Jacksonville26 min
Walk Score
Columbus41
Jacksonville26
Air Quality (AQI)
Columbus40
Jacksonville36
Avg Temperature
Columbus52°F
Jacksonville69°F
Population
Columbus905,748
Jacksonville949,611

Moving from Columbus to Jacksonville?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Columbus and Jacksonville → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Jacksonville →

Compare Other Cities

Columbus vs Austin → Columbus vs Denver → Columbus vs Nashville → Jacksonville vs Raleigh → Jacksonville vs Portland → Jacksonville vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus or Jacksonville cheaper to live in?+
Columbus is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 14.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Columbus vs Jacksonville?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,100/month in Columbus and $1,300/month in Jacksonville — a difference of about $200 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Columbus or Jacksonville?+
Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Florida has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Columbus to Jacksonville?+
Median household income in Columbus is $64,000 compared to $63,000 in Jacksonville. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Columbus vs Jacksonville?+
The median home price in Columbus is $260,000 versus $310,000 in Jacksonville — a difference of $50,000. Property tax rates also differ: Ohio averages 1.41% while Florida averages 0.80%.