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Cost of Living: Denver, CO 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.

14.3% Jacksonville, FL is cheaper overall
25.8% 25.8% cheaper housing
4.0% 4.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 25.8% cheaper
Denver
132
Jacksonville
98
🛒 Groceries 4.0% cheaper
Denver
101
Jacksonville
97
🚗 Transportation 6.7% cheaper
Denver
105
Jacksonville
98
🏥 Healthcare 11.5% cheaper
Denver
104
Jacksonville
92
⚡ Utilities 6.2% more
Denver
96
Jacksonville
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Denver, CO Jacksonville, FL Difference
Overall Cost Index1129614.3% less
Housing1329825.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,620$1,30019.8% less
Median Home Price$540,000$310,00042.6% less
Groceries101974.0% less
Transportation105986.7% less
Healthcare1049211.5% less
Utilities961026.2% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Denver, CO Jacksonville, FL
State Income Tax4.40%None (0%)
State Sales Tax2.90%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.49%0.80%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Denver, CO
$82,000
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 Denver lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Denver (112) vs Jacksonville (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Denver3.5%
Jacksonville3.7%
Job Growth (YoY)
Denver3.6%
Jacksonville3.1%
Top Industries
DenverTech, Aerospace, Energy
JacksonvilleFinance, Logistics, Military

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Denver27 min
Jacksonville26 min
Walk Score
Denver61
Jacksonville26
Air Quality (AQI)
Denver45
Jacksonville36
Avg Temperature
Denver51°F
Jacksonville69°F
Population
Denver713,252
Jacksonville949,611

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Denver 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver or Jacksonville cheaper to live in?+
Jacksonville is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 25.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Denver vs Jacksonville?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,620/month in Denver and $1,300/month in Jacksonville — a difference of about $320 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Denver or Jacksonville?+
Colorado has a state income tax of 4.40% and sales tax of 2.90%. 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 Denver to Jacksonville?+
Median household income in Denver is $82,000 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 Denver vs Jacksonville?+
The median home price in Denver is $540,000 versus $310,000 in Jacksonville — a difference of $230,000. Property tax rates also differ: Colorado averages 0.49% while Florida averages 0.80%.