Jacksonville was recently ranked as the #4 “Best Place to Live” in Florida for 2023 – 2024 by U.S. News & World Report. This study evaluated Florida cities based upon multiple factors including housing affordability, resident happiness, access to quality healthcare, employment and overall city desirability. View City Rankings List

As a Florida resident, you will definitely appreciate not having to pay a state income tax. This allows you to keep a higher percentage of the dollars you earn. In lieu of a state income tax, the state of Florida earns healthy revenues from the millions of tourists that visit the sunshine state every year through a 7% sales tax (state level) and a 5% tourist tax (county level) from revenues on rental properties and hotel visits that are for six months or less. Once you declare your Florida residency, you will surely appreciate the many tourists who pay your share of state taxes.

Jacksonville’s population has been growing quickly in recent years and now ranks as the #17th fast-growing city in the entire country by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24 (view rankings). Strong population growth in genreral is a good leading indicator of cities on an economic upswing.

Jacksonville’s real estate market has been appreciating steadily in recent years due to the influx of people relocating to the area. Jacksonville’s Nocatee Community, located east of the St Johns River in Ponte Vedra, is one of the best-selling communities in all of Florida. At the start of April 2024, the average Jacksonville home price is $298,584 and represents a 0.2% year-over-year decrease. To find out exact housing and living costs, the most preferred and popular neighborhoods people are moving into, contact Laura Reynolds, our Jacksonville relocation expert listed on this page.

The greater Jacksonville area has several top rated hospitals including the Mayo Clinic, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Medical Center. US News & World Report currently ranks Jacksonville’s Mayo Clinic as the #1 overall Best Hospital in the state of Florida (out of 247 hospitals evaluated). View Mayo Clinic ranking.

Jacksonville’s job market has been very strong in recent years with an unemployment rate of only 3.3% in 2024. Top sectors in the Jacksonville economy include healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, education, and retail. The largest employers in the greater Jacksonville area include the Naval Air Station, Duval County Schools, Jacksonville City Government and Baptist Health.

With an average year-round temperature of 67.9′ degrees and 221 sunny days each year, Jacksonville is a top Florida city for outdoor enthusiasts. If you enjoy watersport activities, try kayaking or paddle boarding on the St. Johns River or Trout River. If you prefer landside recreation, Jacksonville offers miles of biking, jogging and pet-friendly trails including the Riverwalk Trail and the Baldwin Rail Trail. If you like to observe the native sea life and wild birds, visit Castaway Island Preserve.

According to US Census Data, Jacksonville is a top city where Millennials are moving to. In late 2022, SmartAsset Magazine ranked Jacksonville as the #5 city destination is the U.S. (and #1 in Florida) of which Millenials are moving to. With the great year-round weather and lack of a state income tax, it’s not hard to see why Jacksonville is a top pick. View the Where Millennials Are Moving To list.

The greater Jacksonville area offers a wide variety of cuisines from casual, pet-friendly sidewalk cafes to fancy, five-star restaurants. There’s also a popular scene of craft pubs and beer gardens to check out such as Bold City Brewery, Bottlenose Brewing, Engine 15 Brewing and Wicked Barley Brewing. Many of these trendy places offer a pet-friendly vibe, live entertainment and some even offer corn hole, darts and foosball while you enjoy a fresh, locally-crafted brew.