Orlando vs Jacksonville: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Orlando, FL and Jacksonville, FL. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Orlando
Florida
Cost Index101.4
Median Rent$1,747/mo
Median Income$72K
State TaxNone
Average
City B
Jacksonville
Florida
Cost Index99.5
Median Rent$1,465/mo
Median Income$70K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Jacksonville to match your lifestyle in Orlando?
$80,000
Orlando
$80,000
Cost Index: 101.4
Jacksonville
$78,474
Cost Index: 99.5
You need $1,526 less in Jacksonville 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-1.9%
Orlando101.4
Jacksonville99.5
Median Rent-16.1%
Orlando$2K
Jacksonville$1K
Median Income-3.4%
Orlando$72K
Jacksonville$70K
Grocery Index~equal
Orlando100.0
Jacksonville100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Orlando100.0
Jacksonville100.0
Transportation~equal
Orlando100.0
Jacksonville100.0
Healthcare~equal
Orlando100.0
Jacksonville100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
OrlandoNone
JacksonvilleNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Orlando: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($72K)
Lower unemployment (4.4%)
2% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,747/mo vs $1,465/mo
Jacksonville: Pros & Cons
2% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,465/mo vs $1,747/mo
Orlando vs Jacksonville – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Orlando and Jacksonville.
Orlando has a cost of living index of 101.4, while Jacksonville scores 99.5. Orlando is approximately -1.9% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Orlando is $1,747/month compared to $1,465/month in Jacksonville — 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 98% of your Orlando salary to maintain the same standard of living in Jacksonville. For example, a $75,000 salary in Orlando would need to be about $73,570 in Jacksonville. 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.
Orlando has a median household income of $72,336 with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Jacksonville has a median household income of $69,872 with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. While income is higher in Orlando, 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.