Jacksonville FL vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 51.2% | 36.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $60,698 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 22.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 52.3% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.5 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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