Jacksonville FL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 51.2% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 30.1% | 7.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $411,323 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 57.1% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 72.1°F | Jacksonville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.7 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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