salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15 minutes. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,880 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 78 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Jacksonville?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Jacksonville
| Size | Jacksonville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,009 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,167 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,206 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,487 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,671 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Jacksonville overall?
Everyday prices in the Jacksonville metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Jacksonville
Life in Jacksonville
What jobs pay in Jacksonville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,850 | 13.3% |
| Software Developer | $123,110 | 14.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,700 | 14.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $116,300 | 15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,100 | 18.0% |
| Operations Manager | $91,100 | 19.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $90,070 | 19.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,750 | 20.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,380 | 21.4% |
| Lawyer | $81,660 | 21.6% |
| Accountant | $73,740 | 24.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,770 | 29.1% |
| Police Officer | $59,540 | 29.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,800 | 30.0% |
| Plumber | $53,230 | 33.2% |
| Carpenter | $48,880 | 36.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,570 | 36.4% |
| Electrician | $48,470 | 36.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,370 | 36.5% |
| Firefighter | $47,870 | 36.9% |
| Truck Driver | $45,640 | 38.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,420 | 47.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,880 | 49.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $34,620 | 51.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $33,980 | 52.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $29,580 | 59.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,480 | 59.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,870 | 61.2% |
| Cashier | $26,380 | 67.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Jacksonville?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $14 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $210,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,010 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Jacksonville, NC?
Renting in Jacksonville costs a median of about $1,472 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Jacksonville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,880 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Jacksonville cheap or expensive?
Jacksonville is rated OK: rent takes 28.4% of the typical household income of $62,226. It ranks 78th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Jacksonville?
The median homeowner in Jacksonville pays $1,870 a year in property taxes, about 0.89% of the median home value.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Jacksonville?
The median home value in Jacksonville is $210,100, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
71,279 people live in Jacksonville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.