Tampa vs. Jacksonville: Which Is Better To Live In?

If you have been thinking about living in Florida - or want to move within Florida - then you may be contemplating the various cities. Two popular choices for many residents are Jacksonville and Tampa. Located on opposite sides of the state about 200 miles apart, both cities have a lot to offer.

Both Jacksonville and Tampa are great places to live, with a low cost of living and a strong economy in each city. Jacksonville has far more people, with a population of nearly 1,000,000. For this reason, many people prefer Tampa, with its gorgeous waterways, bay, and quick access to beautiful white sand beaches along the Gulf.

At Eaton Realty, we work with buyers and sellers throughout Hillsborough County as they search for the home of their dreams. We know that every buyer has a different wish list, and we are committed to helping you find exactly what you need and can afford. Reach out today to talk to a Tampa real estate agent about buying a house in West Central Florida.

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Tampa vs. Jacksonville: Which is Better to Live in?

Many people don’t have the luxury of choosing where they want to live. Family, jobs, or military service may tie them to a particular area. If you do get to choose, then you may be curious about where the best place to live in Florida is. Below, we outline some of the pros and cons of two of the top cities in Florida - Jacksonville and Tampa.

Population

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida, with an estimated population of 985,843 in 2023. This city is pretty diverse, with 53.1% of its population identifying as white, 30.4% of residents identifying as Black, and 11.3% identifying as Hispanic or Latino. 12.0% of all Jacksonville residents were born outside of the United States. Compared to other cities in Florida, it is very “young” - 14.4% of the population is over 65, and 22.6% is under 18.

Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida, with an estimated population of 403,364 people in 2023. Tampa is more diverse than Jacksonville, with 44.1% of the population identifying as white, 26.7% as Hispanic or Latino, and 21.8% as Black. 18.4% of the population of Tampa is foreign-born. However, it isn’t as “young” as Jacksonville, with 13% of all residents aged 65 or older and 20.8% under 18.

Both cities have relatively young, diverse populations. Tampa’s demographics skew slightly younger, while Jacksonville is more diverse than Tampa. However, Jacksonville’s population is larger than Tampa’s, which can make for a much “busier” lifestyle. If you want to live in a city without feeling crowded, then Tampa might be the better option.

Cost of Living

When it comes to daily living expenses, Jacksonville has the edge. The median home price in Jacksonville is $425,211, while the median rent is $1,293 per month. In Tampa, the median home price is $436,033, and the median rent is $1,326 per month.

Jacksonville has a lower overall cost of living, at 6% below the national average. Housing is 6% less than the national average, while transportation costs are 17% lower and groceries cost 2% less. The only area where Jacksonville exceeds the national average is on utilities, which are 5% higher.

By comparison, Tampa’s cost of living is the same as the national average. Housing and utilities are both 3% less than the national average, while groceries cost 8% more. Transportation costs are the same in Tampa as they are nationally.

If you are budget-conscious, then Jacksonville might be a better choice than Tampa. The difference is small, but you will pay less overall to live in Jacksonville. This may make it easier to purchase a house and enjoy what the city has to offer. However, because the difference is slight - especially compared to much more expensive cities like Miami - this factor is probably a wash.

Jobs and Economy

Jacksonville and Tampa each have strong economies with a variety of industries. The biggest employers in Jacksonville include businesses in health care & social assistance, transportation, retail trade, and finance & insurance sectors. It is also home to three naval facilities. Tampa’s major industries include shipping, health care, finance, technology, and defense with nearby MacDill Air Force Base.

Employment numbers are strong in both cities as well. According to U.S. census data, 63.6% of all residents of Jacksonville aged 16 or older are employed in the civilian workforce. In Tampa, 65.1% of all people in the same age category are employed. There are more employers in Jacksonville with 18,475 companies compared to 12,425 in Tampa - which makes sense given that the population in Jacksonville is more than double that of Tampa.

The median household income in Tampa is higher than Jacksonville’s, at $66,802 compared to $64,138. Both Tampa and Jacksonville are great choices if you are working age and looking to find a job in the area.

Beaches

One of the biggest advantages of living in Florida is the proximity to beaches. While not every city in Florida is close to the beach, living in Jacksonville or Tampa means a quick drive to get to the ocean.

Jacksonville is located on the east coast of Florida, which means that its beaches are along the Atlantic Ocean. The city has 22 miles of beaches, including Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Mayport Beach, and Atlantic Beach. The city is located right along the coast, making it a quick drive to get to surf and sand. The waves are stronger in Jacksonville, which makes it great for surfers.

Located in West Central Florida, Tampa area beaches are on the Gulf of Mexico. The city is not directly on the Gulf, so you will have to drive a bit to get to the water. The water is beautiful, clear, and gentle.

If your priority is proximity to the beach, then Jacksonville may be the better choice. However, Tampa’s beaches are often considered far more beautiful - with sparkling blue water and white sand beaches.

Things to Do

Both Tampa and Jacksonville have access to great beaches. They also have plenty of other things to do. In Jacksonville, you can visit the Zoo and Gardens, the Florida Theatre, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, and the MOSH Museum of Science and History. Jacksonville has a lot of great state parks and is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team.

Despite being a smaller city, Tampa has multiple professional sports teams, including NFL, MLB, and NHL teams. It’s also easy to find things to do outside in Tampa, including boating, fishing, golfing, and walking along the Tampa Riverwalk. There are several great public beaches at Picnic Island, Ben T. Davis, Cypress Point, and Davis Islands. If you’re a thrill seeker, you can also visit Busch Gardens just north of the city.

Both cities have a lot to offer in terms of culture, such as a vibrant Gullah Geechee scene in Jacksonville and plentiful Cuban culture in Tampa. You won’t lack for things to do indoors or outside in either city.

Considering Buying a House in Tampa? Give Eaton Realty a Call

As the largest city in Florida, Jacksonville is a busy place with quick access to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. The actual city of Tampa is much smaller than Jacksonville but has no less to offer - with a strong economy, a relatively low cost of living, and tons to do and see. While we personally have a strong preference for Tampa, you can’t go wrong with either city.

Eaton Realty knows our clients have different needs and wants when buying a house. We don’t simply show you listings - we listen to you and help you decide on buying a house in a neighborhood that is best for you and your family. Our team of Tampa realtors will go above and beyond to help you interpret inspection reports and disclosures, negotiate a deal, and navigate each step of the process.

If you want to buy, sell, or rent a house in Hillsborough County, we are here to help. We also offer Tampa property management services for landlords in the greater Tampa area. Learn more by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.

Comparing Tampa To Other Florida Cities

Jacksonville isn't the only city we've created a comparison for. Compare Tampa to other major Florida cities below:

• Tampa Vs. Miami
• Tampa Vs. Orlando
• Tampa Vs. St. Petersburg