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Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA 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.

35.1% Jacksonville, FL is cheaper overall
53.3% 53.3% cheaper housing
15.7% 15.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 53.3% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Jacksonville
98
🛒 Groceries 15.7% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Jacksonville
97
🚗 Transportation 23.4% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Jacksonville
98
🏥 Healthcare 22.0% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Jacksonville
92
⚡ Utilities 5.6% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Jacksonville
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Jacksonville, FL Difference
Overall Cost Index1489635.1% less
Housing2109853.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,30056.7% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$310,00075.2% less
Groceries1159715.7% less
Transportation1289823.4% less
Healthcare1189222.0% less
Utilities1081025.6% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Jacksonville, FL
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.80%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Jacksonville (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Jacksonville3.7%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Jacksonville3.1%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
JacksonvilleFinance, Logistics, Military

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Jacksonville26 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Jacksonville26
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Jacksonville36
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Jacksonville69°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Jacksonville949,611

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco 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

San Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Jacksonville vs Raleigh → Jacksonville vs Portland → Jacksonville vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 53.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Jacksonville?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,300/month in Jacksonville — a difference of about $1,700 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Jacksonville?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 San Francisco to Jacksonville?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 San Francisco vs Jacksonville?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $310,000 in Jacksonville — a difference of $940,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Florida averages 0.80%.