Jacksonville FL vs Santa Clarita CA — 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 229,021 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.1 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 51.2% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 30.1% | 4.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $802,780 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 37.4 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 503 in Santa Clarita. 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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