Jacksonville
Florida
Pop. 950,203
VS
Orlando
Florida
Pop. 307,738

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
66
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Jacksonville wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Jacksonville wins 2–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Jacksonville is more affordable
💼 Orlando has lower unemployment
🛡️ Orlando has fewer disasters

📋 Jacksonville vs Orlando — The Verdict

Jacksonville scores 71.2/100 compared to Orlando's 66.8/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Jacksonville has a clear edge with home prices 27% lower. Jacksonville may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Jacksonville are 27% lower — a difference of $89,700 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Jacksonville saves you $228/month — that's $2,736 per year.
🌬️
Orlando has cleaner air with an AQI 15 points lower — particularly important for people with respiratory conditions.
🛡️
Orlando has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Jacksonville vs Orlando: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
65
Median Home Value
$243,000
$332,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,281
$1,509
Median Income
$64,138
$66,292
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Jacksonville offers home prices 27% lower than Orlando, translating to $89,700 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Jacksonville vs Orlando: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Jacksonville vs Orlando: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
9.2°F
Winter Low
°F
5.2°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.5"
Annual Snow
"
0.0"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Jacksonville vs Orlando: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
27 Good
12 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Jacksonville vs Orlando: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Jacksonville vs Orlando: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
24
20
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Jacksonville to Orlando: Common Questions

Is Jacksonville or Orlando cheaper to live in?
Jacksonville is more affordable overall. Home prices are $89,700 lower in Jacksonville. Monthly rent is $1,281 in Jacksonville vs $1,509 in Orlando.
Does Jacksonville or Orlando have better weather?
Jacksonville scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Jacksonville or Orlando better for finding a job?
Orlando currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Jacksonville vs 4.3% in Orlando. Median household income is $64,138 in Jacksonville and $66,292 in Orlando.
Which city is safer — Jacksonville or Orlando?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Orlando is safer. Jacksonville has had 24 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 20 in Orlando. Jacksonville scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Orlando.
Should I move from Jacksonville to Orlando?
Based on our data, Jacksonville scores 71.2/100 vs Orlando's 66.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Jacksonville is more affordable, while Jacksonville has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.