Quick answer
Jacksonville costs $220/month less overall ($1,770 vs $1,990/mo). Jacksonville also has lower state income tax (None vs 2.5%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Jacksonville vs Tempe
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 13, 2026
Jacksonville vs Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Jacksonville | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 ✓ | $1,850 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,620 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Median Home Price | $310K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 ✓ | $210 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $335 | $330 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,770 ✓ | $1,990 |
| Walk Score | 26/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 22/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 2.5% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Jacksonville's 1BR averages $1,280/month vs $1,450 in Tempe — a $170/month difference, or $2,040/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Jacksonville charges None state income tax vs 2.5% in Tempe. On an $80K salary that's a $2,000/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $3,000 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Jacksonville are $310K vs $520K in Tempe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $42,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tempe utilities run $55 more per month than Jacksonville.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Jacksonville, FL
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Jacksonville. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Jacksonville
Subtropical: hot humid summers (June–October hurricane season), warm mild winters (60s°F)
Tempe
Hot and dry: 100-120°F June-August, 55-70°F Nov-Feb. Virtually no rain. Intense sun, low humidity, clear skies year-round.
Job Market
Jacksonville top industries
Tempe top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Jacksonville if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a remote workers seeking Florida tax benefits
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a beach lifestyle seekers
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Tempe if…
- →You're a Tech workers wanting California-quality jobs with 40% cheaper housing
- →You're a Students and recent graduates (ASU ecosystem)
- →You're a Remote workers who can handle extreme heat
- →You're a Anyone wanting low taxes, walkability, and affordable homeownership
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacksonville or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Jacksonville is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,770 in Jacksonville vs $1,990 in Tempe — a $220/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Jacksonville or Tempe?
Tempe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 71/100 vs 26/100. Jacksonville is more car-dependent.
Jacksonville vs Tempe: which has lower state income tax?
Jacksonville has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,000/year vs Tempe (2.5%).
Is Jacksonville or Tempe better for buying a home?
Jacksonville has lower median home prices at $310K vs $520K in Tempe — a $210,000 difference on the median home.