Jacksonville, FL vs Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 21% higher in Jacksonville, FL. Home prices in Jacksonville, FL run 39% higher. Jacksonville, FL has the lower unemployment rate.

$66,981
Income in Jacksonville
$53,134
Income in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
$1,375
Rent in Jacksonville
$1,087
Rent in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Jacksonville, FL
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA
Difference
Median Household Income
$66,981
$53,134
21% lower
Median Home Value
$266,100
$162,900
39% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
$1,087
21% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,324
$1,053
20% less
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
7.3%
62% more
Population
961,739
201,504

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Jacksonville, FL, renters allocate roughly 24.6% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, the figure is 24.5% , making Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Jacksonville, FL, that ratio is 4.0x. Homes cost 4.0 times the median annual income. In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, it's 3.1x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,324 in Jacksonville and $1,053 in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Jacksonville, FL is $66,981; in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA it is $53,134. That's a $13,847 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 4.5% in Jacksonville and 7.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.1% in Jacksonville versus 49.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance).

Population

Jacksonville, FL has a population of 961,739, making it the larger of the two cities. Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA has 201,504 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov