Jacksonville FL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 470,763 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 51.2% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 30.1% | 27.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 4.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $435,807 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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