City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FL
- Rent is 2% lower in Chicago (median $1,440/mo vs $1,465/mo in Jacksonville).
- Homes cost 14% less in Jacksonville ($294k vs $334k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $273 more a month after taxes and rent in Jacksonville.
- Jacksonville has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in Jacksonville (4.8/10 vs 2.4/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 8 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Jacksonville has milder winters (56°F vs 26°F average).
- Jacksonville gets more sun (221 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Jacksonville | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,465/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $294k |
| Median household income | $78k | $70k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,668 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 4.8/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 2.2× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 92°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 56°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 221 |
| Walk score | 77 | 26 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 977,670 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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