Boston MA vs Jacksonville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Boston
47.8%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.4 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 12.2% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 21.5% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.9% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.0% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $66,981 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $37,269 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 31.9% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Jacksonville
1453
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.8% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.9% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.8% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 70.2°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 50.0 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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