Austin vs Jacksonville: cost of living compared
Jacksonville is 19% cheaper than Austin overall. Neither TX nor FL has a state income tax.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Austin and Jacksonville presents a significant shift in overall expenses. Austin's cost of living is noticeably higher than the national average, primarily driven by its housing market. In contrast, Jacksonville offers a more budget-friendly environment, with expenses generally below the national average. This difference means that a household's purchasing power would stretch considerably further in Jacksonville across most spending categories, making it a more economical choice overall.
Housing
Housing costs represent the largest divergence between these two metros. Both home purchase prices and rental rates for a typical one-bedroom unit are substantially higher in Austin. Jacksonville offers more affordable options for both buying and renting. However, prospective homeowners in Florida should factor in potentially higher insurance premiums, including flood coverage, and be aware that property taxes reset upon sale, which can lead to increased annual costs compared to the previous owner.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses also vary. While both states forgo a state income tax, Austin generally sees higher costs for transportation, groceries, healthcare, and utilities. Commute times are also typically longer in Austin. Jacksonville provides a more economical daily existence across these categories, allowing for greater financial flexibility in routine spending. This contributes to a noticeably lower overall monthly budget for everyday necessities.
Lifestyle trade-offs
The lifestyle differences extend beyond costs. Austin, located inland, experiences a hot, dry climate, while Jacksonville, a coastal city, has a humid subtropical climate with a distinct hurricane season through summer and fall. Getting around Austin can involve navigating more traffic and longer commutes. Jacksonville generally offers shorter average commute times and a more relaxed pace, characteristic of a large, spread-out coastal community with access to waterways and beaches.
Bottom line
For those considering a move, the financial implications are clear: Jacksonville offers a considerably more affordable cost of living across nearly all categories, particularly housing. While both metros lack a state income tax, the cumulative effect of lower prices for homes, rent, food, transportation, and healthcare in Jacksonville translates to a significant advantage for household budgets. Austin's higher costs demand a larger income to maintain a similar standard of living.
| Measure | Austin, TX | Jacksonville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 95 |
| Housing index | 132 | 91 |
| Transportation index | 109 | 96 |
| Food index | 102 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 102 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 112 | 105 |
| Misc index | 102 | 88 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $318,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,750/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Average commute | 30 min | 27 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Jacksonville home with the True Cost Calculator.