Cost of Living: Jacksonville, FL vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Jacksonville and Palm Bay have a similar cost of living.

$1,375/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 8%
$66,981/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$67,521/yr ≈ Same
$266,100 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 7%
$1,324/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↓ 9%
961,739
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $112/month cheaper in Jacksonville, saving renters about $1,344/year.

Median household income is $540/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Jacksonville or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $112/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $540/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Jacksonville or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Jacksonville details → View Palm Bay details →

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Other cost of living comparisons for Jacksonville and Palm Bay

Jacksonville vs. Austin Jacksonville vs. Fort Worth Jacksonville vs. San Jose Jacksonville vs. Columbus Jacksonville vs. Dallas Jacksonville vs. Charlotte Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock