Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
961,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 961,739 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,981 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,269 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $65,328 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $286,396 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 324 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.2% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.8% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 70.2°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 50.0 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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