Jacksonville, FL, and Albuquerque, NM, provide their residents with differing living experiences. Each city exhibits unique characteristics regarding crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, workforce, economy, and other determinant factors. While Jacksonville offers a coastal subtropical climate and a dynamic economy fed by large sectors like finance, Albuquerque promises a high-desert living experience combined with a rich multicultural heritage.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Albuquerque, NM : 1,483.4 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 70%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Albuquerque has grown by 113,992 people (25.4%) during that time.
Both cities have crime rates higher than the national average. Jacksonville's crime rate stands at 37.4 per 1000 citizens, with violent crime given more prevalence over property crime. Similar patterns are also observed in Albuquerque, where the crime rate is 74.5 per 1000 residents, predominantly from property crime. However, Albuquerque has recently implemented various strategies to reduce crime rates, showing a decline in recent years.
Cost of Living
Living costs in Albuquerque are generally lower than Jacksonville with housing being the most significant factor in the cost of living difference. Albuquerque's housing expenses are 20% lower than the national average, while Jacksonville's housing costs are 12% lower than the national average.
Income Tax
There’s no personal income tax in Jacksonville, Florida. Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the other hand, operates under a progressive income tax system, where the tax rate varies between 1.7% to 4.9% depending on the income level.
Property Tax
Jacksonville's average property tax rate is relatively low at 0.93%, while Albuquerque's average property tax rate is slightly higher at 1.07%.
Sales Tax
Florida does not impose a state income tax, and the sales tax rate in Jacksonville is approximately 7%. New Mexico does levy a state income tax, and the sales tax rate in Albuquerque is around 7.88%.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$58,512
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$35,738
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
93.6
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $53,001 in Albuquerque to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is flat and lies along the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean. Albuquerque is set in the high desert and surrounded by the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande rift valley.
Both cities have a multitude of public and private schooling options. Jacksonville's public school system is larger and ranked higher, complemented by a number of highly-rated colleges. Meanwhile, Albuquerque offers a more compact education system with reputable institutions like the University of New Mexico.
Jacksonville's economy is diversified with financial services, information services, biomedical technology, consumer goods, manufacturing, insurance, and other industries contributing significantly. Albuquerque, however, has a more focused economy on healthcare, retail trade, and education services.
Biggest Employers
Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Duval County Public School are the largest employers in Jacksonville. In Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, and UNM Hospital are the biggest employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 773 building permits issued in Albuquerque in 2012 (19 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Albuquerque (Bernalillo County), 55.8% voted for Democrats and 39.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
2020
51.3%
61.3%
47.5%
36.7%
1.2%
2.0%
2016
47.2%
52.4%
48.6%
34.6%
4.2%
13.0%
2012
47.9%
55.8%
51.5%
39.4%
0.6%
4.9%
2008
49.0%
60.2%
51.0%
38.8%
0.0%
1.0%
2004
41.7%
51.6%
57.9%
47.4%
0.3%
0.9%
2000
40.9%
48.8%
57.7%
46.8%
1.4%
4.4%
1996
44.2%
48.3%
50.0%
43.2%
5.8%
8.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
2.6%
22.3%
11.4%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
26.5%
2.8%
10.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.7%
2.3%
1.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.3%
0.6%
0.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
0.9%
1.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
0.7%
1.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
1.4%
1.9%
Weather
Jacksonville's weather is typically subtropical, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Albuquerque, on the other hand, experiences a high desert climate with warm, dry summers, and cool winters with occasional snow. The city also boasts of having 280 sunny days per year.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
55.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
44.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
46%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
63%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
17%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
9.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
19.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
27.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
82.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
82%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
73%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
2018
78
95
N/A
0.23
10.3
N/A
24.5
35.3
N/A
N/A
20.3
N/A
7.1
4.3
N/A
0.5
2017
74
82
N/A
0.24
10.4
N/A
24.7
33.5
N/A
N/A
18.4
N/A
5.8
5.7
0.7
0.4
2016
65
86
0.50
0.22
10.4
N/A
24.9
33.2
N/A
N/A
16.0
N/A
5.2
5.3
0.4
0.8
2015
63
84
0.35
0.23
11.2
N/A
25.4
30.8
N/A
N/A
16.0
N/A
4.9
6.1
0.3
0.7
2014
66
89
0.27
0.22
11.7
N/A
24.3
31.8
N/A
N/A
22.0
N/A
5.9
6.1
0.7
0.6
2013
68
91
0.18
0.22
11.8
N/A
23.0
34.1
N/A
N/A
21.8
N/A
5.3
5.7
0.7
0.8
2012
66
116
0.10
0.18
13.7
N/A
24.0
33.6
N/A
N/A
26.6
N/A
5.8
9.3
0.6
0.7
2011
88
130
0.28
0.21
13.5
N/A
26.6
34.0
N/A
N/A
28.6
N/A
8.1
9.9
0.8
0.4
2010
77
92
0.31
0.15
12.2
N/A
26.4
32.1
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
7.1
6.8
0.8
N/A
2009
72
81
0.16
0.16
12.5
N/A
25.0
30.4
N/A
N/A
26.2
N/A
8.5
6.9
0.6
N/A
2008
75
91
0.15
0.21
11.8
N/A
27.6
31.5
N/A
N/A
20.8
N/A
10.0
6.5
0.9
N/A
2007
92
112
0.29
0.29
13.0
N/A
28.4
31.4
N/A
N/A
19.7
N/A
11.4
6.7
1.2
N/A
2006
87
103
0.35
0.33
14.2
N/A
29.0
31.8
N/A
N/A
21.1
N/A
10.8
N/A
1.4
N/A
2005
93
85
0.42
0.32
13.9
N/A
26.5
29.7
N/A
N/A
20.0
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
N/A
2004
92
89
0.40
0.32
16.6
N/A
25.2
29.8
N/A
0.003
21.5
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
N/A
2003
55
115
0.43
0.37
17.6
N/A
21.6
31.9
N/A
0.004
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
N/A
2002
59
91
0.49
0.43
18.9
N/A
22.2
29.1
0.003
0.005
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
N/A
2001
74
81
0.49
0.67
17.2
N/A
24.0
29.4
0.009
N/A
20.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
N/A
2000
85
95
0.52
0.81
17.0
N/A
25.1
27.9
0.017
N/A
17.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
6.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
802.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
9%
Transportation
Jacksonville transportation is heavily car-dependent, however, public transportation is available. Albuquerque has a more developed public transit system with buses and trains, including the New Mexico Rail Runner, which connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
17
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Bicycle
0.2%
0.9%
Bus
1.1%
0.8%
Carpooled
9%
9.6%
Car alone
86.5%
85.1%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.2%
0%
Walked
1.2%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Average
27.5 min
24.5 min
Other means
25 min
20.8 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
37.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.4%
91.6%
In 2 person carpool
8%
6.6%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Jacksonville is more expensive compared to Albuquerque with the median home cost in Jacksonville at $186,500 compared to Albuquerque's $199,900. Rental prices also echo a similar trend.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighborhoods. Jacksonville has areas like Avondale offering historical charm, or the downtown area for urban living. Albuquerque is known for its distinctive neighborhoods like Old Town with its historic adobe buildings or the trendy Nob Hill.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Houses
422,315
256,814
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.4
Median year apartment built
1985
1983
Median year house/condo built
1987
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
12.6 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
243,582 (94.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
147,964 (60.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
95,618 (39.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$893.82
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$1,021
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$171,149
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$251,500
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$290,578
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$636,758
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$274,794
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$224,872
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$52,392
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$209,825
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$271,083
Median house age
36
38
Renting percentage
38.3%
39.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,421.7
House value disparities
33.2%
29.8%
Household income disparities
44.2%
45.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$87,851
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$63,195
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
1,631 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
3,560 (3.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
97,744 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
309 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
6,864 (6.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
0.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
One, detached
59.4%
61.4%
One, attached
6.1%
6.6%
Two
2.1%
1.0%
3 or 4
5.3%
6.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
4.7%
10 to 19
7.9%
4.7%
20 to 49
4.9%
4.8%
50 or more
5.3%
6.3%
Mobile homes
3.8%
4.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
14,060
State government workers
13,692
20,531
Unpaid family workers
1,066
359
Industries and Occupations
In Jacksonville, leading industries are finance/insurance, health care, and transportation. Albuquerque has a more science-focused job marketplace, led by the healthcare, professional, scientific, and technical services industry.
Both Jacksonville and Albuquerque have world-class healthcare facilities, including the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and the UNM Hospital in Albuquerque.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville's infrastructure benefits significantly from being a major port city with decades of development, including significant road, rail, and port facilities. Albuquerque's infrastructure, while not as comprehensive, is adequate. It features an international airport and an efficient interstate system.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
Hospitals
25
36
TV stations
17
18
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
191
137
Bank institutions located here
31
24
Main business address for public companies
23
8
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
7
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Albuquerque
1999
5,422
2,651
2000
4,132
1,303
2001
3,038
752
2002
2,017
693
2003
3,563
1,022
2004
4,781
1,729
2005
7,134
2,199
2006
8,812
2,639
2007
5,298
1,575
2008
1,719
654
2009
676
368
Culture and Food
Jacksonville offers a rich cultural mix with southern charm, boasting a vibrant art scene, numerous festivals, and coastal cuisine. Albuquerque provides a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo heritages, mirrored in its cultural festivals and southwestern cuisine.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville has a single professional sports team, the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. Albuquerque does not have a major league sports team, but it does have the Albuquerque Isotopes, a minor league baseball team.
Jacksonville, FL
Albuquerque, NM
