Considering a move to Jacksonville, Florida? You’re not alone. Jacksonville has been steadily growing for the last 20 years and is now the 12th largest city in the country. The city’s job market is the driving force behind its growth. In addition to a steady and growing job market, Jacksonville also offers diversity, a great cost of living, and plenty of fun things to do.
We’ve put together this guide to help you decide if Jacksonville is the right city for you.
About Jacksonville
Jacksonville was officially named and founded in 1832. Prior to its founding, European settlers had lived in the area for hundreds of years and Native Americans for thousands of years. Its rich history is the reason Jacksonville is known as a melting pot of different cultures and races today.
Jacksonville, or Jax as it’s known locally, is also the largest city in Florida and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It’s home to almost 1 million people and has a total area of 875 square miles. And all that land gets put to good public use. Jax has the largest urban park system in the nation. It has 80,000 acres of parks, including 400 city parks. With an average of 270 days of sunshine per year, it’s easy to enjoy all those parks.
Jacksonville is also home to 1,100 miles of shoreline – 22 of those are white sand beaches.
If you love history, diversity, sunshine and beaches, Jax may be the best place for you.
What are the people like in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is a growing city with a history of diversity and that continues through today.
Below is a table illustrating how Jacksonville stacks up to the national average on key data points:
Data taken from the 2019 United States Census Bureau Jacksonville, Florida QuickFacts Report.
What does the job market look like in Jacksonville?
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Jacksonville added 32,400 new private-sector jobs in 2021. It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country – just 3.7%.
The biggest industries in Jacksonville include education, financial, hospitality, and retail. The largest employers in the area include Baptist Health, UF Health, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Fidelity Investments, and the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville.
What is the cost of living in Jacksonville?
Don’t be alarmed that the median household income in Jacksonville is below national average. The city is more affordable and has a lower cost of living than the national average.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Cost of living in Jacksonville is 11% below the national average
- Cost of utilities in Jacksonville is 8% below the national average
- Cost of groceries in Jacksonville is the same as the national average
- Cost of transportation in Jacksonville is 3% below the national average
The lower cost of living combined with job opportunities and sunshine make Jacksonville a great place to call home.
What is transportation like in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is located at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 95 which make it easy to get just about anywhere. Perimeter Highway 295 serves as a bypass as well as making it easy to get from the beaches to inner city areas. Jacksonville is also home to numerous highways including US 1, US 17, US 90, and US 301. Like any major city, traffic can be hectic during rush hour, but it’s not as bad as it is in other metropolitan areas.
The Jacksonville Transit Authority manages public transportation within the city. This includes over 30 bus routes that run throughout the city and to the beaches as well as ReadiRide, the city’s version of Uber or Lyft. There’s also the St. Johns River Ferry that transports cars and passengers to various points along the St. Johns River. It’s one of the last public ferries in the state.
Ready to move to Jacksonville?
PadSplit has homes available throughout Jacksonville, offering plenty of choices when it comes to different neighborhoods. With no long-term leases, PadSplit is also a great way to explore different neighborhoods in the city before planting down roots.
Interested in learning more about PadSplit and how we can help you find an affordable room for rent in Jacksonville? Apply today.
