Jacksonville FL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 220,482 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 51.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 30.1% | 10.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $496,966 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 56.5% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, 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%
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.1 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. 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, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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