Jacksonville wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Phoenix vs Jacksonville (2026)
A $62,500 salary in Phoenix buys roughly what $58,125 does in Jacksonville (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$283/yr
Favoring Jacksonville for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $24/mo in Jacksonville, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Phoenix Arizona | Jacksonville Florida | Who wins | Your impact at $63K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,350 | Phoenix wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Phoenix |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,650 | Phoenix wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Phoenix |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,900Wins | $2,200 | Phoenix wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Phoenix |
| Median home price | $380K | $320KWins | Jacksonville wins −$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 96Better | Jacksonville wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $55 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $64 | $50Wins | Jacksonville wins −$14/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Better | $3.20 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $160Wins | $198 | Phoenix wins +$38/mo | $456/yr saves in Phoenix |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $210 | $190Better | Jacksonville wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Jacksonville |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $62 | Phoenix wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65KBetter | $60K | Phoenix wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5% | 0.0%Wins | Jacksonville wins -2.5 pp | $1,563/yr saves in Jacksonville |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 7.5%Wins | Jacksonville wins -1.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $38 | Phoenix wins +$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 100 | 93Better | Jacksonville wins -7 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 41Wins | 26 | Phoenix wins -15 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,572/yr tax difference into cash back
Jacksonville fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Jacksonville.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phoenix cheaper than Jacksonville?
No. Jacksonville is 8% cheaper than Phoenix based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 100, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Phoenix vs Jacksonville?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Phoenix is $1,500/month and in Jacksonville is $1,650/month. Phoenix is cheaper by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Jacksonville to match a $75,000 salary in Phoenix?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $69,750/year in Jacksonville to match a $75,000 salary in Phoenix. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Phoenix or Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 2.5%. Jacksonville has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Phoenix to Jacksonville?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Phoenix ↔ Jacksonville
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