Jacksonville, FL vs Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 12% higher in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN. Home prices in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN run 44% higher.

$66,981
Income in Jacksonville
$75,197
Income in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance)
$1,375
Rent in Jacksonville
$1,486
Rent in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance)

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Jacksonville, FL
Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN
Difference
Median Household Income
$66,981
$75,197
12% higher
Median Home Value
$266,100
$383,100
44% more
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
$1,486
8% more
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,324
$1,471
11% more
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
4.6%
2% more
Population
961,739
684,298

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 Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, the figure is 23.7% , making Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN 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 Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, it's 5.1x. Homes are relatively more attainable in Jacksonville, FL.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,324 in Jacksonville and $1,471 in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan 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 Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN it is $75,197. That's a $8,216 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 4.5% in Jacksonville and 4.6% in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance). Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.1% in Jacksonville versus 58.7% in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance).

Population

Jacksonville, FL has a population of 961,739, making it the larger of the two cities. Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN has 684,298 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