Jacksonville, FL and El Paso, TX are two major U.S. cities that offer different living experiences. Both cities provide unique cultural, lifestyle, and economic opportunities. The choice between the two depends on individual or family needs, preferences, and career opportunities. A side-by-side comparison of these cities in terms of crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real-estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxes, culture/food, sports teams, geographical conditions, and health care can give a clearer picture.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
El Paso, TX : 1,466.0 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 41%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of El Paso has grown by 114,753 people (20.4%) during that time.
According to FBI data, Jacksonville, FL has a higher overall crime rate compared to El Paso, TX. While the crime rate has been declining in Jacksonville, it remains important for residents to be cautious. On the other hand, El Paso consistently ranks as one of the safest cities of its size in the U.S.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in El Paso is lower compared to Jacksonville, largely due to housing costs. Groceries, healthcare, and utilities are also more affordable in El Paso. However, transportation costs are slightly higher in El Paso than in Jacksonville.
Income Tax
Neither Jacksonville, FL nor El Paso, TX has state income tax, making them attractive to income-earners considering relocation.
Property Tax
Jacksonville has a property tax rate of about 0.98%, while El Paso's rate is significantly higher, at approximately 2.13%.
Sales Tax
Florida's state sales tax is 6%, with Jacksonville adding 1% for a total of 7%. Texas' state sales tax is 6.25%, and El Paso adds 2% for a total of 8.25%.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$51,241
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$25,670
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
82.2
If you make $50,000 in El Paso, you will have to make $53,710 in Jacksonville to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville features coastal plains, making it flat and low-lying, and is nearby beautiful beaches. El Paso is in the high desert, surrounded by mountains and the Rio Grande.
Jacksonville is home to high quality public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions like the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. El Paso also has good schools and is home to the University of Texas at El Paso. Both cities invest in education, offering numerous opportunities for student growth and development.
Both cities have thriving economies, but Jacksonville's economy is more diverse with sectors such as banking, healthcare, logistics, and military playing a significant role. El Paso's economy is heavily reliant on trade, healthcare, military, and government jobs.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, some of the biggest employers include Baptist Health, Bank of America, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville. El Paso's top employers are Fort Bliss, El Paso Independent School District, and University Medical Center of El Paso.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 1,961 building permits issued in El Paso in 2012 (1005 less than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In El Paso (El Paso County), 65.5% voted for Democrats and 33.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
2020
51.3%
66.8%
47.5%
31.6%
1.2%
1.6%
2016
47.2%
69.1%
48.6%
26.0%
4.2%
4.9%
2012
47.9%
65.5%
51.5%
33.2%
0.6%
1.3%
2008
49.0%
66.0%
51.0%
33.4%
0.0%
0.6%
2004
41.7%
56.2%
57.9%
43.3%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
40.9%
57.9%
57.7%
39.8%
1.4%
2.3%
1996
44.2%
62.3%
50.0%
32.1%
5.8%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
3.3%
22.3%
26.6%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
43.2%
2.8%
11.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.1%
2.3%
1.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.1%
0.6%
0.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
1.4%
1.6%
Weather
Jacksonville, FL has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild to cool winters. It is also prone to hurricanes. El Paso, TX has a desert climate with hot summers and cool winters with rare instances of snow. The city boasts over 300 sunny days a year, making it ideal for outdoor lovers.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
64.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
42.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
42.8%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
59.8%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
17%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
9.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
10.7 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
31.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
89.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
13.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
89.3%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
75.4%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in El Paso, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
Jacksonville
El Paso
2018
78
139
N/A
0.17
14.0
N/A
24.5
32.0
N/A
N/A
35.7
N/A
7.1
9.2
N/A
N/A
2017
74
173
N/A
0.19
13.0
N/A
24.7
30.5
N/A
N/A
40.4
N/A
5.8
9.5
0.7
0.5
2016
65
148
0.50
0.17
12.6
N/A
24.9
30.6
N/A
N/A
35.2
N/A
5.2
9.2
0.4
0.5
2015
63
112
0.35
0.18
12.7
N/A
25.4
30.8
N/A
N/A
31.2
N/A
4.9
8.0
0.3
0.5
2014
66
157
0.27
0.13
12.8
N/A
24.3
30.0
N/A
N/A
40.3
N/A
5.9
9.7
0.7
0.4
2013
68
211
0.18
0.23
14.1
N/A
23.0
30.5
N/A
N/A
43.9
N/A
5.3
10.8
0.7
0.4
2012
66
229
0.10
0.30
15.9
N/A
24.0
31.6
N/A
N/A
40.2
N/A
5.8
11.6
0.6
0.4
2011
88
221
0.28
0.23
15.9
N/A
26.6
31.2
N/A
N/A
34.7
N/A
8.1
11.6
0.8
0.5
2010
77
211
0.31
0.25
15.3
N/A
26.4
29.4
N/A
N/A
28.8
N/A
7.1
7.9
0.8
0.3
2009
72
117
0.16
0.23
15.4
N/A
25.0
29.5
N/A
N/A
28.6
N/A
8.5
8.3
0.6
0.3
2008
75
210
0.15
0.25
15.2
N/A
27.6
30.1
N/A
0.017
34.6
N/A
10.0
9.7
0.9
0.6
2007
92
134
0.29
0.28
13.9
N/A
28.4
30.6
N/A
0.019
40.5
N/A
11.4
8.4
1.2
0.4
2006
87
241
0.35
0.37
14.3
N/A
29.0
30.6
N/A
0.018
55.0
N/A
10.8
11.1
1.4
0.3
2005
93
159
0.42
0.43
13.1
N/A
26.5
29.6
N/A
0.013
44.5
N/A
12.2
9.6
1.8
0.6
2004
92
183
0.40
0.38
13.5
N/A
25.2
29.2
N/A
0.020
47.3
N/A
12.4
8.2
1.4
0.4
2003
55
278
0.43
0.46
15.5
N/A
21.6
29.5
N/A
0.039
60.4
N/A
N/A
10.8
1.6
0.6
2002
59
203
0.49
0.43
16.4
N/A
22.2
30.5
0.003
0.034
53.3
N/A
N/A
11.0
1.7
0.4
2001
74
139
0.49
0.51
15.5
N/A
24.0
28.7
0.009
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
2.5
0.7
2000
85
145
0.52
0.67
17.8
N/A
25.1
27.8
0.017
0.072
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
3.0
1.0
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
4.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
524.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
11%
Transportation
Jacksonville has a fairly extensive public transportation system operated by Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and also offers a Skyway monorail system. El Paso features Sun Metro, a public bus service, along with a vintage streetcar system. Both cities offer plenty of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly areas.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
331
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
6
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Bicycle
0.2%
0.3%
Bus
1.1%
1.3%
Carpooled
9%
11.2%
Car alone
86.5%
83.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
1.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Average
27.5 min
25.1 min
Other means
25 min
22.2 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
46.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
88.5%
In 2 person carpool
8%
7.9%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.7%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is more expensive in Jacksonville than in El Paso, with a median home cost that is significantly higher. However, both markets offer a variety of home styles, sizes, and neighborhoods to choose from.
Neighborhoods
Jacksonville neighborhoods range from urban downtown areas to suburban communities. Notable neighborhoods include San Marco and Riverside. El Paso offers a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods too, with Kern Place and Sunset Heights being prominent ones.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Houses
422,315
261,779
Average household size (people)
2.5
3
Median year apartment built
1985
1982
Median year house/condo built
1987
1985
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
14.7 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
242,529 (92.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
147,788 (60.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
94,741 (39.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$570.82
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$939
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$227,007
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$152,800
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.4
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$187,761
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$75,782
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$266,003
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$43,095
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$149,459
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$186,951
Median house age
36
38
Renting percentage
38.3%
39.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,051
House value disparities
33.2%
32.7%
Household income disparities
44.2%
46.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$74,665
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$52,954
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
1,889 (2.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
2,956 (3.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
84,973 (97.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
250 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
3,635 (4.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
El Paso
One, detached
59.4%
67.7%
One, attached
6.1%
4.4%
Two
2.1%
2.4%
3 or 4
5.3%
4.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
5.9%
10 to 19
7.9%
5.8%
20 to 49
4.9%
2.4%
50 or more
5.3%
4.8%
Mobile homes
3.8%
2.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
19,650
State government workers
13,692
12,525
Unpaid family workers
1,066
901
Industries and Occupations
Jacksonville's key industries are finance, healthcare, logistics, and the military, while El Paso is primarily driven by trade, health services, education, and the military. Both cities have a wide range of career opportunities and are great for job seekers.
Both cities host advanced healthcare systems. Jacksonville is home to Mayo Clinic and Wolfson Children's Hospital. El Paso has the University Medical Center and offers military-affiliated health services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville boasts a robust infrastructure with strong road networks, bus services, and an international airport. El Paso also has good infrastructure, including an international airport, bus transit, and a streetcar service. Both cities constantly work on improving their infrastructure to better serve residents and visitors.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
El Paso
Hospitals
25
41
TV stations
17
10
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
191
89
Bank institutions located here
31
19
Main business address for public companies
23
7
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
El Paso
1999
5,422
1,994
2000
4,132
993
2001
3,038
704
2002
2,017
594
2003
3,563
1,268
2004
4,781
1,646
2005
7,134
2,316
2006
8,812
2,701
2007
5,298
2,051
2008
1,719
1,034
2009
676
454
Culture and Food
Jacksonville offers a blend of Southern and coastal cuisine, with seafood being prominent. It also hosts various cultural festivals. El Paso is known for its Mexican cuisine and cultural celebrations reflecting its close ties with Mexican culture.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the Jaguars (NFL) and minor league baseball and soccer teams. El Paso has the Chihuahuas (minor league baseball) and Locomotive FC (USL).
Jacksonville, FL
El Paso, TX
