Question 1

Is Boston or Jacksonville cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Jacksonville, FL is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,004/month less than in Boston, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,941/mo in Boston versus $1,658/mo in Jacksonville.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boston vs Jacksonville?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $101,500/year before tax in Boston, MA and $74,000/year in Jacksonville, FL — a difference of about $27,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boston or Jacksonville cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Jacksonville, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,728/month in Boston and $9,565/month in Jacksonville, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boston or Jacksonville?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Jacksonville costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Boston58	Jacksonville66
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,216	$4,212
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,728	$9,565
Salary for comfort	$101,500/yr	$74,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,941	$1,658
Median home value	$710,400	$266,100
Median household income	$94,755	$66,981
Unemployment	4.2%	5.0%
Housing score	8	52
Jobs score	50	39
Safety score	86	65
Climate score	85	100
Amenities score	70	41
Population	664K	961.7K
Summer high / winter low	81° / 22°	91° / 45°

Boston, MA vs Jacksonville, FL