Jacksonville vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Jacksonville
Kent
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.7%, with Jacksonville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to $108,158 in Kent.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has the same purchasing power as $108,158 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $52,007 in Jacksonville.
Living in Jacksonville vs Kent
Housing Costs
Jacksonville's housing index of 89 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $595,000. The $315,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Jacksonville compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Jacksonville and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Jacksonville vs $518/month in Kent. Jacksonville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Jacksonville and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Jacksonville vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Jacksonville and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,025 in Jacksonville and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,816 and $71,752 respectively. Kent residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,237/month to housing in Jacksonville vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases