A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Jacksonville Alabama National
Cost of living8989100
Goods & Services9195100
Groceries9798100
Health care8391100
Housing7874100
Transportation8990100
Utilities10598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Jacksonville, AL

Knowing the cost of living in Jacksonville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Jacksonville stands at 89, marking it 11% lower than the national average.

Is Jacksonville Affordable?

Wondering if Jacksonville is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Jacksonville, for example, the median home price is 17.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 34% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Jacksonville boasting a median household income of $62,838, which is 22.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jacksonville?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Jacksonville, the utilities index registers at 4.8% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Jacksonville, the healthcare costs are 17.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Jacksonville, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is equal to the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is 11% lower than the national average
  • Jacksonville housing is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jacksonville

See all the best places to live around Jacksonville

Compare Jacksonville, AL Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$96,439$8,037$2,250$2,893
      Renters$31,198$2,600$728$936
      The affordability of the housing market in Jacksonville, AL as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Jacksonville homeowners, the median income is $96,439. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,250 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $31,198. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $728 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.84$27.6235.4%
      Beauty Salon $39.33$51.1123.0%
      Toothpaste $4.06$4.090.8%
      Shampoo $1.65$1.547.0%
      Movie $11.83$12.888.1%
      Yoga $20.54$19.664.5%

      Groceries

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.14$7.705.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.49$1.6610.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.730.4%
      Potatoes $5.41$5.262.9%
      Pizza $10.98$12.7614.0%
      Beer $10.20$10.553.3%

      Health Care

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $97.27$140.0630.6%
      Doctor $102.79$153.8233.2%
      Dentist $96.11$123.1522.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.70$11.730.3%
      Lipitor $24.01$23.611.7%

      Housing

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $270,186.00$326,622.0017.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,445.54$2,480.2541.7%
      Apartment Rent $953.00$1,444.0034.0%

      Transportation

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.79$3.068.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.11$65.2117.0%

      Utilities

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $239.21$220.128.7%
      Phone $193.60$195.711.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Spring Garden, AL175936.7%
      White Plains, AL555936.7%
      West End-Cobb Town, AL3,5717821.8%
      Hobson City, AL8097920.9%
      Gadsden, AL36,1468119.2%
      Jacksonville, AL13,1948911.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cornelius, OR13,19412423.8%
      Panama City Beach, FL13,1901088.2%
      South Sioux City, NE13,1878713.2%
      Fulton, MO13,1858713.4%
      Verde Village, AZ13,2031098.6%
      Jacksonville, AL13,1948911.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.