When considering relocation or an extended visit, Jacksonville, FL and Nashville-Davidson, TN offer their own unique experiences, showcasing differences in various fields such as crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education and more. This comparative guide delves into the features of these two distinct cities, providing insights to better understand the living conditions in each.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 499.3 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 41%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
Jacksonville, FL has moderately higher crime rates than Nashville-Davidson, TN, according to crime statistics. While both cities are focusing on improving public safety, crime, especially violent crime, could be a concern for would-be residents and visitors. Nashville, while having slightly lower crime rates than Jacksonville, faces similar challenges. Frequent neighborhood patrolling and community policing initiatives are prevalent in both cities.
Cost of Living
Jacksonville generally touts a lower cost of living than Nashville-Davidson. While housing tends to be cheaper in Jacksonville, miscellaneous expenses like dining and transportation might be slightly higher compared to Nashville. However, the overall cost of living in Jacksonville remains cheaper.
Income Tax
Florida, including Jacksonville, has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial benefit. Tennessee, including Nashville, also has no state income tax as of January 2021.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Jacksonville are relatively lower than in Nashville. Notably, Florida offers homestead exemptions that can reduce the taxable value of properties.
Sales Tax
Jacksonville follows Florida's state sales tax of 6%, while Nashville implements Tennessee's state sales tax of 7%.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $51,472 in Nashville-Davidson to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville boasts coastal beaches, rivers, and large urban park systems. In contrast, Nashville’s terrain features rolling hills and sprawling green spaces, with the Cumberland River flowing through the city.
Both cities boast a blend of public and private schools, as well as colleges and universities. Jacksonville houses the esteemed University of North Florida and Jacksonville University among others, while Nashville is known for Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University.
Nashville’s economy strongly roots in the music industry, healthcare, and finance. In comparison, Jacksonville’s economy diversifies into banking, insurance, healthcare, logistics, and the military sector. Both cities have relatively low unemployment rates and promising job market growth.
Biggest Employers
Key employers in Jacksonville include Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, and Mayo Clinic. Nashville's employment landscape features Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Holdings as major employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
2020
51.3%
65.0%
47.5%
32.6%
1.2%
2.3%
2016
47.2%
60.1%
48.6%
34.1%
4.2%
5.7%
2012
47.9%
58.5%
51.5%
39.9%
0.6%
1.6%
2008
49.0%
60.0%
51.0%
39.0%
0.0%
1.0%
2004
41.7%
54.9%
57.9%
44.6%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
40.9%
57.9%
57.7%
40.4%
1.4%
1.7%
1996
44.2%
79.3%
50.0%
18.1%
5.8%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
14.1%
22.3%
19.6%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
4.9%
2.8%
2.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.5%
2.3%
1.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.8%
0.6%
1.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
1.1%
1.4%
1.7%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.8%
0.9%
0.9%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.2%
0.5%
Weather
These two cities offer distinct climates. Jacksonville, located in Florida, offers a hot, humid climate with a long summer and short, mild winters. On the other hand, Nashville features a more varied humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cooler winters. It experiences a wider range of weather conditions, including occasional snowfall in winter.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
42%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
2018
78
71
N/A
0.40
13.8
N/A
24.5
24.1
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
7.1
9.2
N/A
0.2
2017
74
70
N/A
0.38
14.4
N/A
24.7
26.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
5.8
8.7
0.7
0.1
2016
65
90
0.50
0.42
16.1
N/A
24.9
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
10.1
0.4
0.0
2015
63
68
0.35
0.43
15.5
N/A
25.4
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.9
10.8
0.3
0.1
2014
66
66
0.27
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.3
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.9
9.8
0.7
1.4
2013
68
62
0.18
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.3
9.7
0.7
N/A
2012
66
81
0.10
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.0
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
11.0
0.6
2.3
2011
88
81
0.28
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.6
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.1
11.0
0.8
1.7
2010
77
80
0.31
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.4
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
12.2
0.8
2.2
2009
72
72
0.16
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.0
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
11.5
0.6
2.4
2008
75
81
0.15
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.6
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
13.4
0.9
2.5
2007
92
99
0.29
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.4
27.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
15.5
1.2
2.7
2006
87
93
0.35
0.69
N/A
N/A
29.0
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
14.9
1.4
2.9
2005
93
104
0.42
0.56
N/A
N/A
26.5
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
16.9
1.8
3.1
2004
92
83
0.40
0.61
N/A
N/A
25.2
22.0
N/A
0.006
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
2.6
2003
55
93
0.43
0.67
N/A
N/A
21.6
18.5
N/A
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
1.6
3.8
2002
59
92
0.49
0.67
N/A
N/A
22.2
20.2
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
1.7
4.3
2001
74
95
0.49
0.89
N/A
N/A
24.0
19.5
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
2.5
4.5
2000
85
97
0.52
0.74
N/A
N/A
25.1
19.8
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
17%
Transportation
Jacksonville is served by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority offering buses, a ferry service, and a skyway monorail. Nashville relies on the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority with buses and trains. Traffic congestion could be an issue in both cities depending on the time of day.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.2%
0.3%
Bus
1.1%
1.2%
Carpooled
9%
9.8%
Car alone
86.5%
85.5%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Average
27.5 min
31.3 min
Other means
25 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
8%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Jacksonville is generally less expensive than in Nashville, offering a variety of options including waterfront condominiums, urban townhouses, and suburban single-family homes. Nashville real estate, while more expensive, provides a wide range from historic homes to high-rise condominiums downtown.
Neighborhoods
Jacksonville neighborhoods like Riverside and San Marco offer a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Nashville neighborhoods such as East Nashville and The Gulch are known for their vibrant music scenes, foodie culture, and funky vibe.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
422,315
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.3
Median year apartment built
1985
1986
Median year house/condo built
1987
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$412,434
Median house age
36
35
Renting percentage
38.3%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
699.9
House value disparities
33.2%
31%
Household income disparities
44.2%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
59.4%
50.9%
One, attached
6.1%
8.4%
Two
2.1%
3.3%
3 or 4
5.3%
3.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
7.1%
10 to 19
7.9%
8.7%
20 to 49
4.9%
5.3%
50 or more
5.3%
11.9%
Mobile homes
3.8%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
31,952
State government workers
13,692
15,693
Unpaid family workers
1,066
463
Industries and Occupations
Financial services, healthcare, and logistics dominate Jacksonville’s industrial scene, while Nashville’s major sectors highlight music and entertainment, healthcare, and finance. Both cities have emerging tech sectors, and they boast bustling hospitality niches thanks to vibrant tourism scenes.
Both cities offer comprehensive healthcare services. Jacksonville is home to the renowned Mayo Clinic, while Nashville is known for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville's expansive area covers larger infrastructure including the country's largest deep-water port, multiple bridges, and a comprehensive highway system. Conversely, Nashville exhibits an urban setup with a mix of modern and historic buildings, and a more landscape-driven planning approach due to its hilly terrain.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Nashville-Davidson
1999
5,422
2,397
2000
4,132
1,451
2001
3,038
1,130
2002
2,017
1,075
2003
3,563
2,231
2004
4,781
2,731
2005
7,134
3,231
2006
8,812
3,720
2007
5,298
2,419
2008
1,719
952
2009
676
532
Culture and Food
Jacksonville displays a mix of southern and coastal culture with seafood kitchens and traditional barbecue spots. Nashville showcases its iconic country music culture and is famous for its hot chicken and southern comfort food.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the NFL's Jaguars, while Nashville hosts the NFL's Titans and NHL's Predators. Both cities are truly passionate about their sports teams.
Jacksonville, FL and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 499.3 miles
