Jacksonville vs Tampa in one table
Every row below uses one publisher for both cities, so differences reflect the places rather than the method. Home value and rent are Zillow's August 2026 figures; millage is the 2025 final rate from each county; jobs are preliminary BLS metro counts.
| Jacksonville | Tampa | |
|---|---|---|
| Zillow typical home value (Aug 2026) | $285,103 | $377,566 |
| 1-year change in value | -0.8% | -0.3% |
| Zillow typical rent (Aug 2026) | $1,601/mo | $1,957/mo |
| Property tax | 17.7412 mills total (2025) | 19.8428 mills total (2025) |
| Sales tax (2026) | 7.5% | 7.5% |
| Insurance context: Citizens HO-3 average, Duval/Hillsborough County | $2,426 (Duval) | $2,918 (Hillsborough) |
| Population (Census, July 2025) | 1,017,689 | 413,554 |
| Median household income (ACS 2020-24) | $69,872 | $75,475 |
| Average commute (ACS 2020-24) | 24.1 min | 24.8 min |
| Climate: Jan / Jul average high | 65.5°F / 91.9°F | 71.3°F / 91.0°F |
| Days a year at 90°F or hotter | 80.1 | 94.3 |
| Jobs | Jacksonville metro: 803,800 nonfarm jobs (Aug 2026), +0.1% on the year; unemployment 4.9% (Jul 2026) | Tampa metro: 1,559,600 nonfarm jobs (Aug 2026), +0.9% on the year; unemployment 4.8% (Jul 2026) |
Jacksonville and Duval County are one consolidated government, so most of the county shares a single tax rate. Hillsborough has separate rates for Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace and the unincorporated county.
Comparing Jacksonville and Tampa factor by factor
What a home costs
Jacksonville is the more affordable of the two by a clear margin. Zillow's typical home value was $285,103 in Jacksonville in August 2026 against $377,566 in Tampa, so the typical Tampa home costs about $92,463 more. The Census median of owner estimates for 2020 to 2024 shows a similar gap ($293,700 against $420,400). Jacksonville covers a huge area, so prices range widely from the beaches to the west side; the Jacksonville neighborhoods guide breaks that down.
Price direction
Both markets dipped over the year to August 2026, by 0.8% in Jacksonville and 0.3% in Tampa. Over five years Tampa rose 21.4% and Jacksonville 16.7%. The Jacksonville housing market page tracks sale speed and price cuts month by month.
What renting costs
Typical rent was $1,601 a month in Jacksonville and $1,957 in Tampa, a gap of $356 a month or about $4,272 a year. Jacksonville rents rose 2.0% on the year, while Tampa's eased 0.8%.
Property tax
Most of Jacksonville paid 17.7412 mills in 2025 (school 6.3430), while the City of Tampa paid 19.8428 (school 6.3400). With a lower rate and lower values, the estimated first-year homestead bill on the typical home is about $4,321 in Jacksonville against $6,649 in Tampa. Without homestead, the figures are $5,058 and $7,492. Both estimates use 2025 rates, exclude non-ad valorem charges and assume assessed value equals Zillow's typical value. The Duval County property tax guide and Hillsborough guide show the full math.
Homeowners insurance
Citizens' average multi-peril homeowners premium on policies in force at April 30, 2025 was $2,426 in Duval County and $2,918 in Hillsborough, with 2026 recommendations of $2,406 and $2,939. Duval is below the statewide Citizens average of $3,506. Both cities have coastal and riverfront flood zones, so check the zone and elevation of any home you consider; the Jacksonville flood zones page explains the local maps.
Sales tax
This one is a tie. Duval and Hillsborough both add 1.5% to the 6% state rate, for 7.5% in each city in 2026.
Jobs
The Tampa metro is about twice the size by employment: roughly 1,559,600 nonfarm jobs in August 2026 against 803,800 in the Jacksonville metro. Tampa added about 14,200 jobs over the year and Jacksonville about 500, essentially flat. July 2026 unemployment was 4.9% in Jacksonville and 4.8% in Tampa. Jacksonville's river and port location supports Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville and the Marine Corps Blount Island Command.
Getting around
The average commute is 24.1 minutes in Jacksonville and 24.8 in Tampa, per the Census Bureau. Jacksonville's size means distances inside the city can be long even when traffic is light. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority runs buses, a St. Johns River ferry and the free downtown Skyway; Tampa has local buses and the fare-free TECO Line Streetcar. In both, most households drive.
Climate
Jacksonville is the cooler city in winter. NOAA normals give Jacksonville International Airport a January average high of 65.5°F and low of 42.9°F, against 71.3°F and 52.8°F at Tampa International. Summers are close, with July highs of 91.9°F and 91.0°F, but Jacksonville averages about 80 days at 90°F or more against 94 in Tampa. Jacksonville gets a little more rain, 53.4 inches a year against 49.48.
Coast and water
Jacksonville faces the Atlantic, with the Jacksonville Beaches communities along the coast and the St. Johns River through the middle of the city. Tampa faces the Gulf side, on Tampa Bay, with Gulf beaches across the bay in Pinellas County. The two coasts feel different, so visit each in the season you would use the beach most.
Size
Jacksonville is far bigger on paper, with 1,017,689 residents in July 2025 against 413,554 in Tampa. That is partly geography: after consolidating with Duval County in 1968, the city covers about 900 square miles, the largest total area of any city in the contiguous US. Tampa's metro area, though, is larger than Jacksonville's.
Monthly cost to own the typical home
Here is what the typical home would cost each month with 10% down at Freddie Mac's 30-year average of 7.03% (September 24, 2026), plus estimated homestead property tax and Citizens' recommended average homeowners premium for the county. It leaves out flood insurance, HOA or CDD fees and maintenance.
| Monthly item | Jacksonville | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Principal and interest | $1,712 | $2,268 |
| Property tax with homestead (estimate) | $360 | $554 |
| Homeowners insurance (Citizens average) | $200 | $245 |
| Total | $2,272 | $3,067 |
On these assumptions the typical Tampa home costs about $795 a month more to own. Private insurance quotes can be well above or below the Citizens average, depending on roof age, construction and wind mitigation features.
Hurricane evacuation zones
Both cities have mapped evacuation zones, which the state describes as low-lying, flood-prone areas most likely to be ordered out during a storm, with Zone A usually the most vulnerable. Enter any address in the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Know Your Zone tool before you make an offer, and check it against the FEMA flood map, because the two maps answer different questions.
What is the #1 city in Florida?
By population, Jacksonville is Florida's largest city, with an estimated 1,017,689 residents in July 2025, well ahead of Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Rankings of the "best" city depend on the criteria used, so they vary from list to list, and a city that tops one list for jobs can rank low on another for housing costs or insurance. If you are comparing places to live, compare the same numbers for each: typical value, rent, millage, insurance, commute and flood risk.
Jacksonville or Tampa: match the city to your priorities
Tick the items that matter most to you and see which way they lean. This is a way to organize your own decision, not advice on where to live:
- Lowest typical home price: Jacksonville, about $92,463 below Tampa.
- Lowest typical rent: Jacksonville, about $356 a month less.
- Lower property tax rate: Jacksonville in 2025.
- Lower Citizens insurance average: Duval County.
- Larger job market and more job growth last year: Tampa metro.
- Warmer winters: Tampa; fewer 90°F days: Jacksonville.
- Atlantic coast: Jacksonville; Gulf coast and Tampa Bay: Tampa.
- Sales tax: no difference.
Read more in Is Jacksonville a good place to live and Tampa cost of living. When you are ready, we can put you in touch with a local agent in either city.
Common questions
Is Tampa or Jacksonville a better place to live?+
That depends on your budget and priorities. Jacksonville is cheaper, with a Zillow typical value of $285,103 against $377,566 and rent of $1,601 against $1,957, plus a lower tax rate and insurance average. Tampa has a larger metro job market, warmer winters and the Gulf side. Compare real homes and commutes before deciding.
Which city is bigger, Tampa or Jacksonville?+
Jacksonville. The Census Bureau estimated 1,017,689 residents in Jacksonville in July 2025 against 413,554 in Tampa. Jacksonville is also the largest city by total area in the contiguous US, at about 900 square miles, because it consolidated with Duval County in 1968. The Tampa metro area is larger than the Jacksonville metro.
Why are people moving out of Tampa, FL?+
The Census Bureau's estimates show Tampa still growing, from 412,981 in July 2024 to 413,554 in July 2025, so there is no measured net loss. People's reasons for leaving are not tracked. Measurable pressures include a typical value of $377,566 and a 2025 millage of 19.8428, both higher than in Jacksonville.
What is the #1 city in Florida?+
By population, Jacksonville is number one, with about 1,017,689 residents in July 2025. Miami is second at about 489,812 and Tampa third. Other rankings, such as "best places to live" lists, use different criteria and do not agree with each other, so check what each list measures.
Is Jacksonville cheaper than Tampa?+
Yes on housing. Zillow's typical home value in August 2026 was $285,103 in Jacksonville and $377,566 in Tampa, and typical rent was $1,601 against $1,957. Jacksonville also had a lower 2025 millage (17.7412 against 19.8428) and a lower Citizens insurance average. Sales tax is 7.5% in both.
Does Jacksonville or Tampa get colder in winter?+
Jacksonville. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals show a January average low of 42.9°F at Jacksonville International Airport against 52.8°F at Tampa International, and a January average high of 65.5°F against 71.3°F.
Is it cheaper to rent in Jacksonville or Tampa?+
Jacksonville. Zillow's typical rent in August 2026 was $1,601 a month there against $1,957 in Tampa, a difference of about $4,272 a year. Jacksonville rents were rising faster, up 2.0% on the year while Tampa's fell 0.8%, so compare current listings in the specific areas you like rather than relying on the citywide figure alone.
Sources
- Zillow Research: ZHVI and ZORI data, August 2026
- US Census Bureau: City and town population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Reporter: ACS 2020-2024 median household income, gross rent and home value (B19013, B25064, B25077)
- Census Reporter: ACS 2020-2024 aggregate travel time and workers (B08013, B08303), used for average commute
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 annual climate normals
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 monthly climate normals
- BLS: Jacksonville metro nonfarm employment (CES)
- BLS: Jacksonville metro unemployment rate (LAUS)
- BLS: Tampa metro nonfarm employment (CES)
- BLS: Tampa metro unemployment rate (LAUS)
- Citizens Property Insurance: 2026 recommended rate filing, average HO-3 premium by county (December 10, 2025)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Discretionary sales surtax rates, calendar year 2026 (DR-15DSS)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Sales and use tax
- Duval County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage chart
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- Florida Department of Revenue: 2025 municipal report (city millage by municipality)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Additional homestead exemption CPI adjustment
- Jacksonville Transportation Authority: Skyway, ferry and fares
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey (30-year fixed 7.03%, September 24, 2026)
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: Know Your Zone
- TECO Line Streetcar
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville, Florida (consolidation, area, military installations)
- Wikipedia: Tampa, Florida