Why people are moving to Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville offers a Florida lifestyle with lower cost of living, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a milder climate than South Florida cities.
People choose to move to Florida for the sunshine, beaches and relaxed lifestyle. Jacksonville offers all that, plus less heat and humidity than other places in Florida, a low cost of living, great neighborhoods for families and singles alike, and a young (and growing) population.
Ranked as the largest city in the South, Jacksonville attracts young professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees alike. There are plenty of pros to making the move, with a few cons worth knowing. Here is a look at both, plus the neighborhoods, beaches, and lifestyle factors that shape day-to-day life in Jacksonville, Florida.
Living in Jacksonville: Key Takeaways
- Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States by area and one of Florida’s fastest-growing, with over 900,000 residents and a young demographic profile.
- The lower cost of living in Jacksonville is real. Housing prices sit below much of Florida without trading off beach access, weather quality, or proximity to major metros.
- The trade-off: Jacksonville’s job market and walkability lag behind Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay, and you will need a car for almost everything.
Pros of living in Jacksonville, Florida
Lower cost of living, beach access, milder weather, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a young growing population — five reasons Jacksonville keeps making best-places-to-live lists.
These rank among the best reasons to put Jacksonville on your radar if you are looking to relocate, especially if you have already decided that Florida is your destination.
1.Lower cost of living in Jacksonville
Big-city amenities at North Florida prices: housing costs below most of Florida.
Jacksonville offers its residents all the amenities of a big city, but with a much lower cost of living. In some places in Florida, people might feel like they have exchanged a lower cost of living for better weather and beaches. That is not the case in Jacksonville, where housing prices are lower than much of Florida. The sheer size of the city and surrounding suburbs offers residents plenty of options in terms of price and size of their home.
2.Great beaches near Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Mayport Beach are a short drive from any neighborhood in the city.
Miami Beach and Clearwater Beach might get most of the headlines, but there are great beaches near Jacksonville, too. One of the major pros is that no matter where you live in the city, you are not far from the beach. Jacksonville has grown along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. No matter where you choose to live, you will enjoy a short drive to Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Mayport Beach.
3.Jacksonville weather: hot but milder than South Florida
Average July temperatures around 90°F, with less humidity and intensity than Miami, Orlando, or Tampa.
Along with the great beaches comes great weather. Unlike cities farther to the south, Jacksonville does not have the subtropical or tropical climate. It gets hot, but the humidity and heat are less intense than in other Florida cities. Even in July, the average temperature is about 90 degrees, rather than the 100 degrees “enjoyed” by other Florida cities. It is basically the climate of a southern city, but right on the ocean. That is a popular combination.
4.Great neighborhoods in Jacksonville for families and professionals
Nocatee, Palm Valley, Fruit Cove, Atlantic Beach, and Oceanway lead the rankings for family-friendly living near Jacksonville.
Jacksonville offers diverse options when it comes to choosing the right neighborhood to match your needs. There are many fantastic neighborhoods perfect for families, including great schools, in the city and the surrounding suburbs. In and around Jacksonville, some of the most popular neighborhoods include:
- Nocatee. A master-planned community with some of the lowest crime rates in the state, located south of the city in Ponte Vedra Beach.
- Palm Valley. Also located in Ponte Vedra, Palm Valley features amazing Mediterranean-style homes near the Atlantic Ocean. Both Nocatee and Palm Valley are popular with retirees as well as families.
- Fruit Cove. Located south of the city along the St. Johns River, Fruit Cove offers a small-town feel and highly rated schools.
- Atlantic Beach. Located due east of downtown Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach offers a great mix of renovated historic homes, bungalows, and modern townhouses and condos. It is a big draw for single professionals and families.
- Oceanway. Along with adjacent neighborhoods New Berlin and Yellow Bluffs, Oceanway is one of the fastest-growing areas of Jacksonville.
5.Young, growing, and the largest city in the contiguous US
Over 900,000 residents, the youngest major Florida city, and the largest urban park system in the nation.
Of all the major cities in Florida, Jacksonville is the youngest. It is also the biggest, with an estimated 911,511 residents. The city boasts the largest area of any city in the contiguous United States. Jacksonville is also developing a reputation for being a cool place to move and has made several best places to live lists, including one from Livability that called Jacksonville “a melting pot of people, culture, interests, and food. Between the beach, river, and the largest park system in the nation, there is something for everyone to love here.”
Cons of living in Jacksonville, Florida
The trade-offs: car-dependent transit, a developing job market, lower average incomes, and limited international flight access.
The list of cons for living in Jacksonville includes the following:
- Not walkable. Like most cities in the South, you will need a car to get around in Jacksonville.
- Developing job market. The job market in Jacksonville is still developing compared to Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay, although it is growing quickly.
- Lower income. You will make less in Jacksonville than in other large U.S. cities.
- No direct international flights. Other than Toronto, there are no direct international flights into or out of Jacksonville.
Those are some of the major pros and cons for living in Jacksonville, Florida. It is a young city beginning to gain popularity for those who want to relocate to Florida, and it offers families a safe, fun, and beautiful place to raise a family or retire.
Moving to Jacksonville with Good Greek
Trust Jacksonville movers from Good Greek Moving & Storage for your next move. Good Greek is a full-service Jacksonville moving and storage company, named Mover of the Year 2024 (ATA). It handles local, long-distance, packing, storage, and auto transport across Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide, with dedicated Move Lead coordinators for every relocation. Learn more about why Jacksonville is a great place to live.
Jacksonville Movers: Frequently asked questions
How does the cost of living in Jacksonville compare to Miami or Orlando?
Jacksonville sits significantly below Miami and modestly below Orlando in cost of living, particularly on housing. Median home prices in Jacksonville run 30–40% lower than Miami and roughly 10–15% lower than Orlando, while groceries, utilities, and transportation track closer to the Florida average.
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Jacksonville?
Nocatee and Palm Valley (Ponte Vedra) lead for retirees and families, Atlantic Beach is the top pick for single professionals, Fruit Cove suits families seeking small-town feel with great schools, and Oceanway is the fastest-growing area in the city.
Is Jacksonville a good place for young professionals to move?
Yes, with caveats. Jacksonville has the youngest demographic profile of any major Florida city and a growing finance, healthcare, and logistics sector. The job market is still developing compared to Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay, so the trade-off is lower cost of living against fewer high-income job options.
How does Jacksonville’s weather compare to South Florida?
Jacksonville runs cooler and less humid than South Florida. Average July temperatures stay around 90°F instead of pushing 100°F, and the city avoids the subtropical climate of Miami or Tampa. The Atlantic Ocean coastline keeps coastal breezes moderating the heat year-round.
