A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Jacksonville Alabama National
Cost of living9088100
Goods & Services9196100
Groceries9496100
Health care8087100
Housing7772100
Transportation9291100
Utilities124102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Jacksonville, AL

The cost of living in Jacksonville affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Jacksonville is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Jacksonville aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Jacksonville residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Jacksonville Affordable?

Is Jacksonville affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Jacksonville, the median home price is 18.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 33.2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Jacksonville boasting a median household income of $41,530, 24.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jacksonville?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Jacksonville, the transportation index is 8.2% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Jacksonville, the utilities index is 23.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Jacksonville cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is 2% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is 10% lower than the national average
  • Jacksonville housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jacksonville

See all the best places to live around Jacksonville

Compare Jacksonville, AL Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,085$5,424$1,519$1,953
      Renters$20,808$1,734$485$624
      The affordability of the housing market in Jacksonville, AL as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Jacksonville homeowners, the median income is $65,085. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,519 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $20,808. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $485 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.56$24.2631.8%
      Beauty Salon $35.56$45.5622.0%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.28$1.280.0%
      Movie $11.49$12.135.3%
      Bowling $16.50$18.008.3%

      Groceries

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.17$5.8411.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.40$4.939.4%
      Pizza $10.59$12.0912.4%
      Beer $10.17$10.412.3%

      Health Care

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $83.34$125.6833.7%
      Doctor $98.98$135.7827.1%
      Dentist $81.53$113.2928.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.24$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $483.70$468.603.2%

      Housing

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $150,000.00$184,700.0018.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,405.24$2,346.6940.1%
      Apartment Rent $634.00$949.0033.2%

      Transportation

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.07$3.4611.3%
      Tire Balancing $59.63$59.920.5%

      Utilities

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.14$193.9939.3%
      Phone $188.01$192.252.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      White Plains, AL541964.3%
      Spring Garden, AL172964.3%
      West End-Cobb Town, AL3,4928020.1%
      Hobson City, AL7778019.7%
      Gadsden, AL35,2248217.7%
      Jacksonville, AL12,796909.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lindsay, CA12,7931099.1%
      McComb, MS12,7888317.4%
      Herrin, IL12,8068812.4%
      Mercerville, NJ12,78311918.6%
      Brighton, ON12,811n/a 
      Jacksonville, AL12,796909.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.