Cleveland vs Jacksonville: cost of living compared
Jacksonville is 16% more expensive than Cleveland overall. Jacksonville (FL) has no state income tax; OH tops out around 3.5%.
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 from Cleveland to Jacksonville generally means a noticeable increase in your overall cost of living. The most significant factor driving this difference is housing, which is considerably more expensive in the Florida metro. While other daily expenses also tend to be higher in Jacksonville, the gap in housing costs creates the largest impact on a household budget when comparing these two areas.
Housing
Both buying and renting are substantially more affordable in Cleveland. Median home prices and typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment show a significant difference. In Jacksonville, homeowners should also consider potentially higher insurance premiums, including flood coverage, and common additional fees like HOA or CDD charges. Property taxes in Florida can also reset to market value upon sale, impacting new owners.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all generally higher in Jacksonville. However, Florida does not have a state income tax, which can offset some of these increased costs for residents, particularly those with higher incomes. Commute times are roughly similar in both metros, suggesting comparable daily travel demands.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move introduces distinct lifestyle changes. Cleveland experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters, while Jacksonville offers a warm, humid subtropical climate year-round. Jacksonville's coastal location provides access to beaches and water activities, but also means hurricane season is a regular consideration. Both metros are car-dependent, with similar average commute times.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the primary financial takeaway is that Cleveland offers a significantly lower cost of living, predominantly due to much more affordable housing. While Jacksonville benefits from no state income tax, this may not fully compensate for the higher costs across nearly all other categories, especially housing, property taxes, and insurance. Your budget will stretch further in the Ohio metro.
| Measure | Cleveland, OH | Jacksonville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 82 | 95 |
| Housing index | 57 | 91 |
| Transportation index | 91 | 96 |
| Food index | 90 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 92 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 105 |
| Misc index | 82 | 88 |
| Median home price | $188,000 | $318,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $950/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Average commute | 26 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.