Jacksonville FL vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 543,348 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 51.2% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 30.1% | 5.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $54,546 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $31,152 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 30.2% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $324,946 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 51.7% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 450 in Tucson. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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