Jacksonville, Florida, and Columbus, Georgia both provide interesting and diverse experiences for both residents and tourists. Jacksonville, the most populous city in Florida, is known for its live music, art scene, and beach lifestyle, while Columbus, Georgia, blends the charm of the old South with modernity and the presence of a military base. This article offers a comparative exploration of both cities, diving into factors like crime safety, cost of living, education, work and economy, and beyond, providing a comprehensive understanding of what each city offers.
Jacksonville has a higher crime rate than Columbus, although, like any city, some neighborhoods are safer than others. Among tourists, petty thefts are the most common crime in both cities. In Columbus, crime rates have been decreasing over the years and its proximity to the Fort Benning military base adds a layer of law enforcement presence, which can foster feelings of safety.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Columbus, GA, is generally lower than in Jacksonville, FL. This is mainly due to the cost of housing, which is significantly lower in Columbus. While the median home cost in Jacksonville is around $180,000, in Columbus it is approximately $105,000. The overall living cost including utilities, transportation, and groceries are also typically lower in Columbus than in Jacksonville.
Income Tax
Florida does not have a state income tax, so Jacksonville residents are not subject to it. Georgia, on the other hand, imposes a state income tax, which ranges from 1% to 5.75%. Columbus residents, therefore, have to pay state income tax.
Property Tax
On average, property taxes are higher in Jacksonville than in Columbus. In Jacksonville, the average property tax rate is about 0.98% of the property's assessed fair market value, while it is approximately 0.87% in Columbus.
Sales Tax
Jacksonville’s sales tax rate is 7%, which is the combined state and city rate. Columbus’ combined rate is slightly higher at 8%, given Georgia's state sales tax rate of 4% and an additional 4% county and city tax.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$52,817
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$29,689
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
86.8
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $50,864 in Jacksonville to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is a coastal city, a factor that brings both advantages like beautiful beaches and the disadvantage of being more prone to hurricanes. Columbus is landlocked and characterized by rolling hills and the Chattahoochee River, providing a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Both cities have strong education systems. Jacksonville is home to the University of North Florida, education institutions, and a thriving community college system, while Columbus offers Columbus State University and various technical colleges. Public school systems in both cities have strengths and weaknesses, and there are numerous private school options in each city as well.
The job market in both cities has opportunities in various fields. Jacksonville's economy is largely driven by banking, insurance, healthcare, logistics, and military bases. Columbus’s economy, on the other hand, is heavily boosted by the military, specifically the Army’s Fort Benning. Columbus also has a presence of manufacturing and healthcare industries.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, the largest employers are the military, especially the Naval Air Station and Mayport Naval Station, followed by healthcare providers like Baptist Health and UF Health Jacksonville. In Columbus, the United States Army’s Fort Benning and the Muskogee County School District are among the largest employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 296 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (79 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Columbus (Muscogee County), 60.3% voted for Democrats and 39.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
2020
51.3%
61.4%
47.5%
37.4%
1.2%
1.2%
2016
47.2%
57.4%
48.6%
38.9%
4.2%
3.7%
2012
47.9%
60.3%
51.5%
39.0%
0.6%
0.7%
2008
49.0%
59.7%
51.0%
40.0%
0.0%
0.4%
2004
41.7%
51.4%
57.9%
48.2%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
40.9%
54.3%
57.7%
45.2%
1.4%
0.5%
1996
44.2%
53.8%
50.0%
41.9%
5.8%
4.4%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
22.8%
22.3%
16.6%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
4.6%
2.8%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.6%
2.3%
1.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
1.2%
0.6%
1.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
1.4%
0.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.5%
0.2%
0.8%
Weather
Jacksonville has a hot semi-tropical climate with a long, hot summer and a mild to cool winter. Columbus also experiences a southern subtropical climate, but temperatures are slightly cooler in comparison since it's away from the coast. Both cities can expect higher than average rainfall throughout the year.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
65.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
74.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
47%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
48.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
1 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
18.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
66.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
17.4%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
68%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
50.6%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6.6 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Columbus, Georgia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
Jacksonville
Columbus
2018
78
61
N/A
N/A
24.5
28.3
N/A
N/A
7.1
6.8
N/A
N/A
2017
74
71
N/A
N/A
24.7
28.8
N/A
N/A
5.8
8.4
0.7
N/A
2016
65
76
0.50
N/A
24.9
30.8
N/A
N/A
5.2
8.1
0.4
N/A
2015
63
70
0.35
N/A
25.4
26.9
N/A
N/A
4.9
8.1
0.3
N/A
2014
66
78
0.27
N/A
24.3
28.0
N/A
N/A
5.9
9.2
0.7
N/A
2013
68
72
0.18
N/A
23.0
28.5
N/A
N/A
5.3
8.4
0.7
N/A
2012
66
79
0.10
N/A
24.0
30.6
N/A
N/A
5.8
9.5
0.6
1.1
2011
88
86
0.28
N/A
26.6
32.0
N/A
N/A
8.1
11.6
0.8
1.2
2010
77
81
0.31
N/A
26.4
31.5
N/A
N/A
7.1
10.9
0.8
1.2
2009
72
75
0.16
N/A
25.0
28.8
N/A
N/A
8.5
10.0
0.6
1.3
2008
75
81
0.15
N/A
27.6
33.2
N/A
0.004
10.0
11.7
0.9
1.7
2007
92
103
0.29
N/A
28.4
35.7
N/A
0.004
11.4
14.8
1.2
N/A
2006
87
99
0.35
N/A
29.0
34.6
N/A
0.004
10.8
14.1
1.4
N/A
2005
93
104
0.42
N/A
26.5
30.6
N/A
0.004
12.2
13.3
1.8
2.0
2004
92
94
0.40
N/A
25.2
28.9
N/A
0.005
12.4
13.3
1.4
N/A
2003
55
84
0.43
N/A
21.6
26.9
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
1.6
N/A
2002
59
62
0.49
N/A
22.2
27.9
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.9
2001
74
88
0.49
N/A
24.0
30.1
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
N/A
2000
85
110
0.52
N/A
25.1
34.2
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
137.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
132.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
7%
Transportation
Jacksonville’s transportation system includes the Jacksonville Transportation Authority which operates bus, trolley, and monorail services, but most residents prefer using cars due to the city's size. Columbus Metropolitan Area Transit System operates buses in Columbus but the majority of residents also rely on personal vehicles for transportation.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
85
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
1.1%
1.1%
Carpooled
9%
14.6%
Car alone
86.5%
75.5%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.3%
Walked
1.2%
4.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Average
27.5 min
20.5 min
Real Estate
The real estate market in both cities caters to a variety of budgets and preferences. Jacksonville’s real estate is more expensive, offering a mix of condos, suburban homes, and beachfront properties. Columbus provides a more affordable housing market, with a variety of single-family homes and condo options in a range of neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Jacksonville offers diverse neighborhoods from beachfront areas like Jacksonville Beach, to urban, historic neighborhoods such as Riverside and Avondale. Columbus is home to charming neighborhoods like Midtown, which blends historic homes with contemporary shopping and dining choices.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Houses
422,315
75,938
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.5
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
69,597 (91.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
39,266 (56.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
30,331 (43.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$599.09
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$61,168
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$171,106
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.6
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
351.4
Household income disparities
44.2%
46.6%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
9,803 (27%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
91 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
26,511 (73%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
2,477 (6.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
3,939 (10.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
3,992
State government workers
13,692
3,806
Unpaid family workers
1,066
211
Industries and Occupations
Jacksonville's industries are quite diverse, including healthcare, financial services, and logistics. Columbus also has a diversified economy with manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade, significantly supplemented by Fort Benning’s presence.
Both cities are well-equipped in health care. Jacksonville is home to numerous hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, which is nationally recognised. Columbus also offers excellent healthcare resources including the Columbus Regional Health system and St. Francis Hospital.
Jacksonville has an expansive infrastructure due to its size. It has an international airport, major highways, a deepwater port, and extensive hospitals. Columbus is more compact with a regional airport, standard highways, local transit, and several hospitals. Jacksonville's infrastructure is more extensive due to its larger population and the demand of a big city.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Columbus
Hospitals
25
12
TV stations
17
10
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
191
50
Bank institutions located here
31
12
Main business address for public companies
23
5
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Columbus
1999
5,422
906
2000
4,132
767
2001
3,038
618
2002
2,017
304
2003
3,563
334
2004
4,781
431
2005
7,134
550
2006
8,812
565
2007
5,298
362
2008
1,719
132
2009
676
59
Culture and Food
Both cities offer a diverse culture. Jacksonville offers a vibrant arts scene, several museums, and a strong emphasis on live music. Its food scene is heavily influenced by Southern and coastal cuisine. Columbus, meanwhile, offers Southern charm, packed with historic sites and theaters. Its food is also Southern-inspired, with an emphasis on comfort foods and traditional dishes.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team and attracts a lot of sports tourists for their games. Columbus, although it lacks major league teams, hosts minor league baseball and hockey teams, and offers a broad range of recreational sports.
Jacksonville, FL
Columbus, GA
