71
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
68
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
It's a tie 1–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Jacksonville wins 1–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Jacksonville is more affordable
💼 Tampa has lower unemployment
🛡️ Tampa has fewer disasters
📋 Jacksonville vs Tampa — The Verdict
It's a close call — Jacksonville (71.2/100) and Tampa (68.2/100) each win 1 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 $90,200 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Jacksonville saves you $141/month — that's $1,692 per year.
Median Home Value
$243,000
$333,200
Median Rent /mo
$1,281
$1,422
Median Income
$64,138
$66,802
The affordability gap is significant — Jacksonville offers home prices 27% lower than Tampa, translating to $90,200 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.3%
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.
Air Quality (AQI)
27 Good
20 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
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.
Disasters (20 years)
24
23
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from Jacksonville to Tampa: Common Questions
Is Jacksonville or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Jacksonville is more affordable overall. Home prices are $90,200 lower in Jacksonville. Monthly rent is $1,281 in Jacksonville vs $1,422 in Tampa.
Does Jacksonville or Tampa have better weather?
Tampa scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Jacksonville or Tampa better for finding a job?
Tampa currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Jacksonville vs 4.3% in Tampa. Median household income is $64,138 in Jacksonville and $66,802 in Tampa.
Which city is safer — Jacksonville or Tampa?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Tampa is safer. Jacksonville has had 24 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 23 in Tampa. Jacksonville scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Tampa.
Should I move from Jacksonville to Tampa?
Based on our data, Jacksonville scores 71.2/100 vs Tampa's 68.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Jacksonville is more affordable, while Tampa 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.