Jacksonville vs Tampa: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Jacksonville, FL and Tampa, FL. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Jacksonville
Florida
Cost Index99.5
Median Rent$1,465/mo
Median Income$70K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
City B
Tampa
Florida
Cost Index100.9
Median Rent$1,701/mo
Median Income$75K
State TaxNone
Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Tampa to match your lifestyle in Jacksonville?
$80,000
Jacksonville
$80,000
Cost Index: 99.5
Tampa
$81,131
Cost Index: 100.9
You need +$1,131 more in Tampa to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+1.4%
Jacksonville99.5
Tampa100.9
Median Rent+16.1%
Jacksonville$1K
Tampa$2K
Median Income+8.0%
Jacksonville$70K
Tampa$75K
Grocery Index+235.3%
Jacksonville100.0
Tampa335.3
Utilities Index~equal
Jacksonville100.0
Tampa100.0
Transportation+180.5%
Jacksonville100.0
Tampa280.5
Healthcare~equal
Jacksonville100.0
Tampa100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
JacksonvilleNone
TampaNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Jacksonville: Pros & Cons
1% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,465/mo vs $1,701/mo
Lower grocery costs
Tampa: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($75K)
1% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,701/mo vs $1,465/mo
Jacksonville vs Tampa – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Jacksonville and Tampa.
Jacksonville has a cost of living index of 99.5, while Tampa scores 100.9. Tampa is approximately 1.4% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Jacksonville is $1,465/month compared to $1,701/month in Tampa — a difference of 16%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 101% of your Jacksonville salary to maintain the same standard of living in Tampa. For example, a $75,000 salary in Jacksonville would need to be about $76,060 in Tampa. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Jacksonville has a median household income of $69,872 with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Tampa has a median household income of $75,475 with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. While income is higher in Tampa, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.