JacksonvilleMoney Index August 2026
"Sunshine, no income tax."
Jacksonville — Money Index — Key Facts
- Cost of Living: 96. Jacksonville's cost of living sits at 96 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
- 11% Savings Rate. Jacksonville households save about 11% of income — close to the US average.
- Work-Life Balance: 62/100. Jacksonville scores 62/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
- Financial Stress: 50/100. Money stress in Jacksonville sits at 50/100 — calmer than most big US cities.
- Jacksonville Quirk. Jacksonville has one of the largest land areas of any US city — meaning more affordable space.
- 58% Own Their Home. Only 58% of Jacksonville households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Median Household: $62k. Jacksonville households earn about $62k — roughly 17% below the US average.
- 25-Minute Commute. Jacksonville's one-way commute averages 25 minutes — right around the US norm. Roughly 192 hours a year on the road.
- Happiness Score: 67/100. Residents rate life in Jacksonville a 67/100 — roughly the US average.
- 11% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 11% of Jacksonville's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
Florida's no-income-tax advantage plus reasonable housing makes Jacksonville quietly one of the best places to build wealth.
With a median household income of ~$62k, a 11% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 96, Jacksonville ranks #26 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 11% of Jacksonville's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Jacksonville's average commute (~25 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Jacksonville household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Jacksonville's cost of living and savings rate.
How Jacksonville feels about money
Four Jacksonville money truths
Jacksonville's savings rate runs 11% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Jacksonville is cheaper than the US average — your paycheck stretches noticeably further than in coastal metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Florida residents in Jacksonville report a 67/100 happiness score with stress at 50/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Jacksonville has one of the largest land areas of any US city — meaning more affordable space."
Money lessons from Jacksonville
- 1
No state income tax = automatic raise
- 2
Insurance is the silent killer — shop yearly
- 3
Buy your forever home once
Find your next account
Compare the best savings, checking, business and CD rates — all ranked monthly, all in one place.
Explore financial categories
← Swipe to explore →
Jacksonville money FAQ
Is Jacksonville, Florida a good city for saving money?+
Jacksonville households save about 11% of income, with a happiness score of 67/100 and a work-life balance score of 62/100. Florida's no-income-tax advantage plus reasonable housing makes Jacksonville quietly one of the best places to build wealth.
What is the median household income in Jacksonville?+
The median household income in Jacksonville, Florida is roughly $62,000 per year. About 47% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Jacksonville?+
Jacksonville's cost of living index sits at 96 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 58%.
How long is the average commute in Jacksonville?+
Jacksonville's average commute (~25 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
How much urban green space does Jacksonville have?+
About 11% of Jacksonville's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits Jacksonville?+
The Steady Hand — Calm, consistent, and remarkably hard to rattle.
What's surprising about money in Jacksonville?+
Jacksonville has one of the largest land areas of any US city — meaning more affordable space.
