Jacksonville FL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 672,079 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 51.2% | 39.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 4.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 11.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $580,173 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 41.1% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 24.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 32.8 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Jacksonville, FL vs New York, NYJacksonville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FLHouston, TX vs Jacksonville, FLJacksonville, FL vs Phoenix, AZJacksonville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA