Jacksonville FL vs Springfield MA — 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%

Springfield, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 154,751

  • Median HH Income$51,339
  • Median Home Price$298,985
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+19.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
19.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
49.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Springfield
1086
Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
17.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Springfield
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, 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 326 in Springfield. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Jacksonville & Springfield