| Index | Jacksonville | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 100 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Jacksonville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Jacksonville stands at 98, making it 2% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Jacksonville closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Jacksonville can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
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 13.3% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 6.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Jacksonville boasting a median household income of $68,857, 15.3% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Jacksonville, healthcare costs are 0.5% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Jacksonville cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $92,252 | $7,688 | $2,152 | $2,768 |
| Renters | $58,747 | $4,896 | $1,371 | $1,763 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Maysville, NC | 1,024 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Half Moon, NC | 8,633 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Pumpkin Center, NC | 1,891 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Piney Green, NC | 14,825 | 97 | 3.0% |
| Richlands, NC | 2,975 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Jacksonville, NC | 76,345 | 98 | 1.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cheektowaga, NY | 76,395 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Appleton, WI | 76,203 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Schaumburg, IL | 76,160 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Camden, NJ | 76,587 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Rochester Hills, MI | 76,612 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Jacksonville, NC | 76,345 | 98 | 1.5% |