The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Miami | Jacksonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 125 | 101 | -24 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $1,800 | $1,350 | -$450 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $2,350 | $1,750 | -$600 |
| Median household income | $58,234 | $57,320 | -$914 |
| Population | 442,241 | 968,560 | +526,319 |
What salary you'd need in Jacksonville
To maintain your Miami purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Jacksonville.
Miami vs Jacksonville: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Miami's cost-of-living index of 125 runs roughly 19.2% higher than Jacksonville's 101. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Miami averages $1,800/month, vs $1,350/month in Jacksonville — a -$450 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$600/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $5,400 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Miami is $58,234, while Jacksonville runs $57,320 (-$914 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Both cities are in the same state, so state income tax is identical. The cost difference is purely local — rent, transit, groceries, and lifestyle.