Jacksonville vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Jacksonville
Sydney
💡 The Verdict
Jacksonville is 34% cheaper than Sydney overall. A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville is equivalent to $114,474 in Sydney.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Jacksonville (left) vs Sydney (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Jacksonville versus Sydney. Differences shown from Jacksonville perspective.
| Item | Jacksonville | Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,010/mo | $1,360/mo | $-350.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $1,830/mo | $-430.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,820/mo | $2,350/mo | $-530.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.95 | $4.11 | $-1.16 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.80 | $5.28 | $-1.48 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.12 | $4.18 | $-1.06 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.41 | $7.76 | $-1.35 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.57 | $4.10 | $-0.53 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.30 | $20.28 | $-4.98 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has the same purchasing power as $114,474 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $49,138 in Jacksonville.
Reading These Numbers: Jacksonville (95) vs Sydney (145)
Jacksonville at 95 is 5% below the US average, while Sydney at 145 is 45% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Jacksonville, the composite index of 95 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 89, followed by groceries (101), utilities (94), transportation (103), and healthcare (95). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Jacksonville and $1,830/mo in Sydney, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,160.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $25,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $183,000.0 difference in median home prices between Jacksonville and Sydney translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Jacksonville vs Sydney
Choosing between Jacksonville and Sydney involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Jacksonville and Sydney can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.