Jacksonville, Florida Cost of Living Guide

When deciding where to live, you probably consider the cost of living. This refers to how much money it costs to meet a standard of living in a particular area. Typically, the cost of living takes into account the price of housing, transportation, food, utilities, healthcare, and childcare. 

Jacksonville is situated on Florida’s northeast coast and offers a large city feel with nearby beach access. If you’re considering living in Jacksonville, you’ll want to have a good idea about how much money you’ll need to meet your living standards. This article will break down the cost to live in Jacksonville, FL.

Housing

Typically, the highest portion of the cost of living is housing. Jacksonville offers a wide range of both single-family homes and apartment/condo units. One of the major considerations regarding housing is how much space you need and what area you want to live in. 

Homes in areas that have more amenities, access to parks, or lower crime rates will typically come at a higher price point. In Jacksonville, FL, the average 2-bedroom apartment rent is $1,259 per month and the average 3-bedroom house comes in at $276,954.

Transportation

Getting around is another important factor to take into account when choosing where to live and when calculating your cost of living. In Jacksonville, there are several ways to get around, each with its own pros and cons.

In Jacksonville, your transportation may include a personal vehicle, cabs, rideshare, buses, or the monorail. Where you live, work, and spend your time will ultimately determine which transportation option is best for you. 

With that in mind, if you choose a personal vehicle, you may incur costs such as the price of the car, insurance, gas, parking, registration, and maintenance. The current yearly average cost of gas in Jacksonville is $2.94 per gallon, which falls 5¢ less than the Florida average.

If public transportation seems like your best option, a monthly bus pass will cost you $50 and the monorail system is free.

Food

The next thing to calculate for your cost of living is food. This will vary based on your diet, age, and health. In Jacksonville, FL, the average resident can expect to expect $294 on groceries and food. This is right below the average cost of groceries in the US. 

Below are some of the average costs of food:

• Regular milk, gallon - $2.44

• Loaf of bread - $3.81

• Rice, 1 lb - $1.35

• Eggs, dozen - $1.72

Utilities

Keeping your home functioning also cannot be overlooked. Below, we break down some of the most common utility prices.

Water, Electricity

The average cost of water and electricity comes out to $165 per month. This can be attributed to the increased use of fans and air conditioning compared to other cities. 

Heat & Gas

While heat and gas might not come to your mind at first, Florida does have some chilly months. In North Florida, you can expect a couple of months of low temperatures. The average monthly cost of gas, used for both cooking and heating, comes to $129 per month.

Phone

We can’t forget about our phones! The average single-person phone plan in Jacksonville comes in at $164 per month. 

Internet

Internet access in Jacksonville comes in at the national average of $65 per month. 

Health Insurance

Healthcare is an important cost to take into account. By law, you are required to have health insurance. This can come in a couple of ways such as private insurance through your employer that can be individual or for your family, Medicaid, or medicare. 

Your insurance cost will vary greatly depending on factors like your income, age, and health. For a major medical individual health insurance plan, the average price is $467 per month. If you have Florida ACA without a tax subsidy, it will cost $597 per month. With a subsidy, it will cost $98 per month. 

Childcare

The last factor of the cost of living is childcare. In Jacksonville, FL, the average cost of daycare is between $400 and $800 per month. This figure varies on things like length, educational materials, and program offerings.

Other Considerations

Living is about more than the basic necessities. Some other costs you should consider include things like gym memberships, tickets for activities like concerts or sports events, club memberships, or average plane ticket prices. These will vary based on how you like to spend your time and money.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Jacksonville is a relatively more affordable city to live in. Your total cost of living will ultimately depend on your lifestyle choices and family size. The base costs of housing, transportation, and utilities are a great place to start when creating your own budget and estimated cost of living.

If you’re currently looking for a new place to live, check out a new, affordable co-living option with Alcove! Alcove can help you find a place to call home that is less than the cost of a studio or one-bedroom apartment while giving you quality roommates, streamlined payment setup, and even help to move.