Thinking of Moving to Jacksonville?

Discover what living in America's first coast is like.

If you're considering moving to Jacksonville and in the process of researching top Florida cities, you're in the right place. This page has been created to help you discover the greater Jacksonville area and what life is like as a full-time resident on Florida's first coast. We will overview the local employment and job market, popular beaches, attractions and things to do. We also encourage you to reach out to our Jacksonville relocation expert as they are glad to answer to any specific questions you may have about Jacksonville including the current real estate market, home prices and annual living costs.

About Jacksonville, FL

Located in Duval County, the seaport city of Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by overall population and land area. With its 22 miles of Atlantic beaches, Jacksonville is the principal city in the greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Area, with a total population of 1,523,615 in 2018 (US Census Bureau). Full-time residents of Jacksonville enjoy an average year-round temperature of 70' allowing for a plethora of popular outdoor activities. This fast-growing city is a top destination for Millennials with its expanding IT sector and top-rated housing market. Jacksonville is also a popular destination for retirees with its designation as an underrated beach town, a Best City to eat in America, as well as its overall high quality of life.

Jacksonville Awards & Accolades

The Jacksonville area is commonly receives accolades for its strong employment market and IT jobs, growth of its housing market, popular dining scene as well as its overall quality of life. View the list of recent accolades below.

• 2021
  
  Jacksonville's Nocatee Ranked 8th Best-Selling, Master-Planned Community in the US - RCL & CO

  Jacksonville, FL Ranks as the #2 "Best Place to Live in Florida" - Bankrate
• 2020
  
  Jacksonville, FL Named #6 Best Place to Retire in the U.S - US News & World Report

  Jackonville's Mayo Clinic Ranked the #1 Best Hospital in Florida - US News & World Report

  Jacksonville, FL Recognized as a "Best City for Women in Tech" - Smart Asset
• 2019
  
  Jacksonville Ranks as the Fastest Growing City in Florida - US Census Bureau

  Jacksonville Named a Top Tech City for IT Jobs - CompTIA

  Jacksonville Ranks as a "Top 10" Housing Market in the USA - Trulia

  Jacksonville is America's "2nd" Most Underrated Beach Town - Jet Setter

  Jacksonville Named a "Top 20" Best City to Eat in America - Food & Wine Magazine

Top Reasons to Relocate to Jacksonville

1. Jacksonville is "Best City" to Retire In
   
   Jacksonville was recently ranked #2 as the "Best Place to Live in Florida" by Bankrate. This study analyzed the 25 of the largest cities in Florida (with populations of greater than 100,000) and was based upon multiple factors including housing affordability, safety, educational attainment and overall culture. View City Rankings List
2. Florida Has No State Income Tax
   
   As a Florida resident, you will definitely appreciate not having to pay a state income tax. This allows you to keep a higher percentage of the dollars you earn. In lieu of a state income tax, the state of Florida earns healthy revenues from the millions of tourists that visit the sunshine state every year through a 7% sales tax (state level) and a 5% tourist tax (county level) from revenues on rental properties and hotel visits that are for six months or less. Once you declare your Florida residency, you will surely appreciate the many tourists who pay your share of state taxes.
3. Jacksonville is the Fastest Growing City in Florida
   
   Jacksonville's population has been growing quickly in recent years and now ranks as the #7th fast-growing city in the Southeast on the US Census Bureau website for cities with a population of 50,000 or more. Strong population growth is a good leading indicator of cities on an economic upswing.
4. Jacksonville is a Top Rated Real Estate Market
   
   Jacksonville's real estate market has been appreciating steadily in recent years due to the influx of people relocating to the area. Jacksonville's Nocatee Community, located east of St Johns in Ponte Vedra, was recently ranked as the 8th best selling master-planned community in the entire country. In early 2021, the median Jacksonville home price was $224,395 and the median Jacksonville monthly rent was $1,349 per month. To find out exact housing and living costs, the most preferred and popular neighborhoods people are moving into, contact our Jacksonville relocation expert listed on this page.
5. Jacksonville Has Top-Rated Healthcare & Hospitals
   
   The greater Jacksonville area has several top rated hospitals including the Mayo Clinic, Wolfson Children's Hospital and Baptist Medical Center. In 2021, US News & World Report ranked Jacksonville's Mayo Clinic as the #1 overall Best Hospital in the state of Florida. View Mayo Clinic Rating.
6. Jacksonville Has Strong Employment Market
   
   Jacksonville's job market has been very strong in recent years with an unemployment rate of only 2.9%. Top sectors in the Jacksonville economy include healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, education, and retail. The largest employers in the greater Jacksonville area include the Naval Air Station, Duval County Schools, Jacksonville City Government and Baptist Health.
7. Jacksonville Offers a Year-Round Playground
   
   With an average year-round temperature of 67.9' degrees and 221 sunny days each year, Jacksonville is a top Florida city for outdoor enthusiasts. If you enjoy watersport activities, try kayaking or paddle boarding on the St. Johns River or Trout River. If you prefer landside recreation, Jacksonville offers miles of biking, jogging and pet-friendly trails including the Riverwalk Trail and the Baldwin Rail Trail. If you like to observe the native sea life and wild birds, visit Castaway Island Preserve.
8. Jacksonville is a Popular City for Millenials
   
   According to US Census Data, Jacksonville is a top city where Millennials are moving to. Jacksonville recently ranked #5 as the most sought after destination for Millenials nationwide By Smart Asset. With the great year-round weather and lack of a state income tax, it's not hard to see why Jacksonville is a top pick. View the Where Millennials Are Moving list.
9. Jacksonville Has Great Dining & Cuisine Options
   
   The greater Jacksonville area offers a wide variety of cuisines from casual, pet-friendly sidewalk cafes to fancy, five-star restaurants. There's also a popular scene of craft pubs and beer gardens to check out such as Bold City Brewery, Bottlenose Brewing, Engine 15 Brewing and Wicked Barley Brewing. Many of these trendy places offer a pet-friendly vibe, live entertainment and some even offer corn hole, darts and foosball while you enjoy a fresh, locally-crafted brew.
10. Jacksonville Offers Endless Events to Explore
    
    Jacksonville offers a full scene of year-round of outdoor events to choose from including food and craft beer festivals, musical performances, car shows and film festivals. Popular Jacksonville events include the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Great Atlantic Seafood & Music Festival, the Jacksonville Film Festival and the Mandarin Art Festival.