City Comparison

Jacksonville vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Jacksonville

Florida
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$53,025
Median Income

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

5.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
89
Jacksonville
82
St Cloud
Groceries
101
Jacksonville
101
St Cloud
Utilities
94
Jacksonville
95
St Cloud
Transportation
103
Jacksonville
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
95
Jacksonville
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $79,167 in Jacksonville.

Living in Jacksonville vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Jacksonville's housing index of 89 is higher St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $250,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Jacksonville compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Jacksonville and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Jacksonville vs $480/month in St Cloud. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Jacksonville and 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Jacksonville vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Jacksonville and 100 in St Cloud. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $53,025 in Jacksonville and $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,816 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St Cloud is 5.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,053 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Jacksonville's housing index is 89 with median homes at $280,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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