Jacksonville 71 Excellent
Jacksonville Livability #111 ranked city in North Carolina#6,991 ranked city in the USARanks better than 76% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Jacksonville

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

What's it like Living in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a medium-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 76,345 people. The majority of Jacksonville residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Jacksonville could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 23 years old is below the nation’s average. Jacksonville is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 46%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Jacksonville is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Jacksonville, North Carolina could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Jacksonville and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Jacksonville to North Carolina and the national average.

Jacksonville, NC receives 72 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #88 in North Carolina and #5,798 in the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Jacksonville ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A) On a less positive note, Jacksonville does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Jacksonville excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Jacksonville is real estate affordability. The median home price for Jacksonville homes is $283,096, which is 2.2% lower than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Jacksonville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 0% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Jacksonville

See all the best places to live around Jacksonville

How Do You Rate The Livability In Jacksonville?

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Compare Jacksonville, NC Livability

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      Jacksonville transportation information

      Statistic Jacksonville North Carolina National
      Average one way commute15min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work60.8%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.5%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk15.4%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Jacksonville, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.