Jacksonville FL vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 119,508 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.2 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 51.2% | 44.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $399,650 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 50.2% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
West Palm Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
West Palm Beach
1453
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 75.4°F | Jacksonville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 62.3 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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