Jacksonville, Florida
Bold City with room to grow
U.S. News (2025)
#47 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#18 Best Cities for Affordability
WhereAtHome Score
69.9
D+out of 100
Overview
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, offering beaches, rivers, and an affordable cost of living. The city has attracted financial services companies and logistics operations, with the port driving significant economic activity. Lower costs than Miami or Tampa make it attractive for families.
Key Highlights
- Largest city by area in continental U.S.
- No state income tax
- Beach access at Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra
- Major port and logistics hub
- Affordable compared to other Florida metros
- Strong military presence (Naval Station Mayport)
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Duval County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
92°F
Winter Low
42°F
Annual Rainfall
52"
Sunny Days
221
Amenities & Infrastructure
400+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
8 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
4 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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