There’s plenty to love about living in Jacksonville: a low cost of living, warm weather for much of the year, no state income tax, and easy access to the coast and the St Johns River. As with any move, though, it pays to weigh up the advantages and drawbacks before you decide.
Below are some of the broad pros and cons of living in Jacksonville.
Accommodation in Jacksonville
+ PRO: Lots of choices and diverse neighbourhoods
Jacksonville has something for just about everyone. Young professionals favour the walkable, historic streets of Riverside and Avondale. Families look for neighbourhoods within reach of the better public schools, while retirees gravitate towards low-maintenance communal developments near the water. The housing stock is broad, from family homes in the suburbs to modern apartments and condos closer to downtown.
- CON: It can get expensive
There’s a lot of investment potential when it comes to property in Jacksonville. While finding affordable housing in the city is possible, those looking to live in sought-after locations near downtown Jacksonville can expect to fork out for the privilege. Riverside living and ocean views aren’t cheap, either.
Accommodation in Jacksonville
Best (and Worst) Neighbourhoods in Jacksonville
Getting around in Jacksonville
+ PRO: Public transport is cheap
Getting around doesn’t cost much if you’re close to the city centre. Regular riders can cut the cost with a weekly or monthly pass on a STAR card, which is cheaper than paying single fares. You can also pay by phone through the MyJTA app.
- CON: Driving is a necessity
Although public transport in Jacksonville is affordable, the system isn’t efficient for a city this size. Buses are rarely on time, and services outside central areas can be downright slow. If you’re not living in the city centre, it’s probably not a viable option to rely solely on public transport. You’ll find life much easier with a car, and you can explore at your own pace.
- CON: Traffic is a nightmare
More than a million people live in Jacksonville, and more are arriving every year. Roadworks and construction are a constant presence on Jacksonville’s roads. The river bridges are natural bottlenecks, and there are few alternative routes across, so traffic can be a real headache. If you’re moving here for work, look for remote or flextime roles to dodge the worst of rush hour; otherwise, be ready to sit tight, because the daily commute can be a drag.
Public Transport in Jacksonville
Working in Jacksonville
+ PRO: A broad and established economy
Jacksonville has long had a reputation as one of Florida’s boomtowns, and the economy here is fairly diverse. The biggest local employers are in finance, logistics, healthcare, and shipping through the port, so workers with experience in these fields tend to find openings. Employers do pull back on hiring in leaner years, and it helps to arrive with in-demand skills; even so, you’re better cushioned in a multi-industry city than in a single-sector town.
- CON: Lower salaries
Salaries in Jacksonville tend to be lower than in bigger economic hubs such as Miami and Atlanta. It’s a good place to get a career off the ground, but experienced professionals with sought-after skills may find the pay packages here less generous. Then again, the cost of living is low, so most people still live comfortably.
Cost of living in Jacksonville
+ PRO: One of the most affordable places to live in Florida
Jacksonville is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. People move to the state from across the US and beyond for the warm, year-round weather and the outdoor lifestyle, and in Jacksonville, you can have both without the price tag attached to Miami or the coastal resort towns. The city is enormous in land area, so there’s enough housing to keep costs reasonable even as more people arrive.
+ PRO: No state income tax
Florida is one of a handful of US states with no state income tax, so you keep more of your salary each month. Higher earners moving from a high tax state can save enough to cover a good chunk of their moving costs. It’s one of the first things people mention when they weigh up Jacksonville against pricier cities elsewhere.
- CON: Some expenses can’t be avoided
A car is all but unavoidable for most people living in Jacksonville. Cars themselves are reasonably priced, but the city is so spread out that you’ll clock up plenty of miles, and fuel is a cost you can’t dodge. You’ll also pay for insurance and maintenance, so running a car here is a real ongoing expense.
Cost of Living in Jacksonville
Education and schools in Jacksonville
+ PRO: Good public schools
A handful of Jacksonville’s public schools are among the best in the country. Admission is often tied to catchment area, though, so parents who want a place at a top-performing school should plan to live nearby.
+ PRO: Lots of alternative learning paths
The approach to education in Jacksonville is fairly progressive. Students who don’t thrive in a traditional classroom have real alternatives to fall back on. There are magnet schools for children with a talent for sports, the performing arts, music, or the sciences, and support for those with disabilities and learning difficulties is strong.
- CON: No international schools
The international community in Jacksonville is relatively small, so parents won’t find international schools here that teach a foreign national curriculum. Even so, the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is available at several public and private schools. Stanton College Preparatory and Paxon School for Advanced Studies are two well-regarded public options. Families from abroad may also want to look at schools in the wider Florida area.
Education and Schools in Jacksonville
Healthcare in Jacksonville
+ PRO: Excellent medical facilities
Healthcare in Jacksonville is one of the city’s real strengths. The Mayo Clinic runs one of its main US campuses here, and it is consistently rated among the top hospitals in Florida and across the country. Beyond Mayo, there are big hospital systems like Baptist Health and UF Health Jacksonville, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital is well regarded for its care of younger patients. New arrivals who care about access to strong medical care tend to be pleasantly surprised by how good the options are.
Healthcare and Hospitals in Jacksonville
Local culture in Jacksonville
+ PRO: A relaxed, friendly city
A lot of newcomers are surprised by how relaxed and friendly the city is. Southern hospitality is alive and well here, and people tend to be welcoming. The food and craft beer scene is much bigger than it was a few years ago, and for a large city, the cultural offering is solid without big-city prices. There are museums, a symphony orchestra, live theatre, and a full festival calendar, so you won’t be short of things to do.
- CON: Downtown is still a work in progress
Downtown Jacksonville is a bit of a sore point for locals: it has plenty of history but not much life after office hours. The riverfront is being redeveloped, but once the workday ends, there’s not much happening on the streets. Walkability is limited outside a few historic neighbourhoods, so don’t expect the dense nightlife you’d get in Miami or Atlanta. The arts and dining are perfectly good where they can be found; they’re just not on the scale of those bigger cities.
Lifestyle in Jacksonville
+ PRO: Lots of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors
Florida’s warm weather and beaches are only part of the draw. Jacksonville has one of the largest urban park systems in the country, and its hiking and biking trails are a real highlight for anyone who likes the outdoors. Locals take to the St Johns River to kayak, paddleboard, boat, and fish, and you might spot dolphins or manatees while you’re out on the water.
- CON: Brutal summers and hurricane season
The flip side of all that sunshine is the summer. From June onwards, the heat and humidity are draining, and afternoon thunderstorms are routine. Jacksonville is also on a hurricane-prone stretch of the Atlantic coast, so you’ll need to build storm season into your plans, from home insurance to a basic evacuation kit. Florida’s home insurance is among the priciest in the US because of the storm and flood risk. A direct hit is uncommon, but the risk is real enough that you should be prepared.
+ PRO: A strong live music scene
Jacksonville is widely regarded as the birthplace of Southern rock, and both Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band formed in the city. It also has a strong jazz and blues tradition, and one of the biggest jazz festivals in the US is held here every year. There’s plenty for live music fans, from big outdoor festivals to small jazz clubs.