Jacksonville FL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 741,440 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 51.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 30.1% | 6.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 8.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $871,599 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 44.3% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 28.8 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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