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Cost of Living: Houston, TX 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.

0.0% Jacksonville, FL is cheaper overall
6.5% 6.5% more expensive housing
3.2% 3.2% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 6.5% more
Houston
92
Jacksonville
98
🛒 Groceries 3.2% more
Houston
94
Jacksonville
97
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Houston
100
Jacksonville
98
🏥 Healthcare 3.2% cheaper
Houston
95
Jacksonville
92
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
Houston
106
Jacksonville
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Houston, TX Jacksonville, FL Difference
Overall Cost Index9696~Same
Housing92986.5% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,200$1,3008.3% more
Median Home Price$295,000$310,0005.1% more
Groceries94973.2% more
Transportation10098~Same
Healthcare95923.2% less
Utilities1061023.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Houston, TX Jacksonville, FL
State Income TaxNone (0%)None (0%)
State Sales Tax6.25%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.80%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Houston, TX
$67,000
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 Houston lifestyle.

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

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Houston4.5%
Jacksonville3.7%
Job Growth (YoY)
Houston3.1%
Jacksonville3.1%
Top Industries
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace
JacksonvilleFinance, Logistics, Military

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Houston30 min
Jacksonville26 min
Walk Score
Houston33
Jacksonville26
Air Quality (AQI)
Houston52
Jacksonville36
Avg Temperature
Houston70°F
Jacksonville69°F
Population
Houston2,304,580
Jacksonville949,611

Moving from Houston to Jacksonville?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Houston 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston 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 6.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Houston vs Jacksonville?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,200/month in Houston and $1,300/month in Jacksonville — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Houston or Jacksonville?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. 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 Houston to Jacksonville?+
Median household income in Houston is $67,000 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 Houston vs Jacksonville?+
The median home price in Houston is $295,000 versus $310,000 in Jacksonville — a difference of $15,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Florida averages 0.80%.