Cost of Living: Chicago vs Jacksonville (2026)

Chicago vs Jacksonville cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Jacksonville is about 4% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $96,032 in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is about 4% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $96,032 in Jacksonville.

Chicago vs Jacksonville: the numbers

MetricChicagoJacksonvilleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10499-4%
Median rent$1,380$1,375-0%
Median home value$315,200$266,100-16%
Median household income$75,134$66,981-11%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $96,032 in Jacksonville. Going the other way, $100,000 in Jacksonville is like $104,132 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Jacksonville.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Jacksonville

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 99 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Jacksonville.

About $96,032 — that's what you'd need in Jacksonville to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.