Brooklyn, New York, and Jacksonville, Florida, are two diverse and distinct cities, each with their own unique charm and challenges. The hustle and bustle of Brooklyn contrasts with Jacksonville's slower pace, but both offer exciting opportunities for both residents and visitors. This comprehensive comparison covers areas like crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, and much more. Read on to discover the best fit for your lifestyle and needs.
Brooklyn has a higher crime rate than Jacksonville, especially regarding property crimes. However, Brooklyn's crime rate has significantly decreased over recent years, and certain neighborhoods are considered safe. Jacksonville, although having a lower overall crime rate, struggles particularly with violent crimes. Both cities have crime rate higher than the national average, and local policies are aimed at mitigating this.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is notably higher in Brooklyn, driven primarily by housing costs. Things like groceries, health care, and transportation also tend to be more expensive in Brooklyn. Jacksonville's cost of living is lower and more in line with the national average, making it a more affordable option overall.
Income Tax
New York has a progressive income tax system, with rates from 4% to 8.82%. Florida, including Jacksonville, has no state income tax.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in Brooklyn are lower than the national average, but the higher home values mean the overall taxes paid are usually higher. Jacksonville has moderately high property taxes.
Sales Tax
Brooklyn residents pay a combined state and local sales tax rate of 8.875%. Jacksonville's combined tax rate is slightly lower at 7%.
Income
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Estimated median household income
$67,567
$58,621
Estimated per capita income
$39,536
$32,953
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.4
88.3
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $104,983 in Brooklyn to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Brooklyn is built on a small peninsula connected to Manhattan, featuring an urban landscape with a few parks and beaches. Jacksonville is spread out, providing a mix of urban, suburban, and beach environments.
Geographical information
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Land area
70.6 sq. miles
757.7 sq. miles
Population density
35,956 people per sq. mile
1,259.9 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Brooklyn, NY Jacksonville, FL
Education
Brooklyn's education sector is diverse, with numerous well-regarded public and private schools, and prestigious universities like Brooklyn College and Pratt Institute. Jacksonville also has a mix of public and private schools and hosts universities like the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. Both cities provide ample educational opportunities.
Brooklyn's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from sectors like health care, retail, education, and creative industries. Jacksonville's economy is based on sectors like military and defense, health care, transportation, and finance. Both cities provide varied job opportunities, although wage levels generally tend to be higher in Brooklyn.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in Brooklyn are the city government, JP Morgan Chase, and several hospitals, including Maimonides and Brookdale. In Jacksonville, the largest employers include the city government, the naval base, Duval County Public Schools, and Baptist Health.
In Brooklyn (Kings County), 82.1% voted for Democrats and 16.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
2020
76.9%
51.3%
22.2%
47.5%
1.0%
1.2%
2016
79.6%
47.2%
17.5%
48.6%
2.9%
4.2%
2012
82.1%
47.9%
16.9%
51.5%
0.9%
0.6%
2008
79.9%
49.0%
20.1%
51.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2004
75.0%
41.7%
24.3%
57.9%
0.7%
0.3%
2000
81.0%
40.9%
15.7%
57.7%
3.3%
1.4%
1996
80.1%
44.2%
15.1%
50.0%
4.9%
5.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.9%
9.0%
7.5%
2.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.8%
0.7%
4.2%
0.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.9%
0.1%
3.8%
0.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
1.0%
0.3%
5.2%
1.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.7%
1.2%
2.3%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
15.8%
2.4%
22.3%
Weather
Weather-wise, Brooklyn experiences the four traditional seasons, with winters that can get cold and snowy, and hot, humid summers. On the other hand, Jacksonville enjoys a tropical climate, mainly warm throughout the year, with mild winters and hot, humid summers, attracting many for its beach-worthy weather.
Weather and climate
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Temperature - Average
55.1°F
68.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.7%
78.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.1%
44%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.8%
92%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50.7%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.5 in
51.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
53.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.7%
15.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
69.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
58%
Wind speed - Average
10.6 mph
7.2 mph
Average climate in Brooklyn, New York
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
2018
93
78
0.31
N/A
16.8
N/A
24.2
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.0
7.1
0.4
N/A
2017
95
74
0.25
N/A
17.0
N/A
24.5
24.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
5.8
0.3
0.7
2016
93
65
0.31
0.50
17.7
N/A
24.8
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.2
5.2
0.5
0.4
2015
100
63
0.38
0.35
18.2
N/A
24.1
25.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
4.9
0.7
0.3
2014
95
66
0.38
0.27
18.5
N/A
23.5
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
5.9
0.9
0.7
2013
96
68
0.41
0.18
18.9
N/A
24.4
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
5.3
1.0
0.7
2012
98
66
0.44
0.10
18.3
N/A
24.4
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
5.8
1.6
0.6
2011
107
88
0.43
0.28
20.7
N/A
23.6
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
8.1
2.4
0.8
2010
112
77
0.43
0.31
19.4
N/A
24.7
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
7.1
2.3
0.8
2009
104
72
0.43
0.16
21.5
N/A
20.7
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
8.5
3.1
0.6
2008
109
75
0.47
0.15
22.6
N/A
21.3
27.6
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
10.0
4.1
0.9
2007
121
92
0.53
0.29
23.5
N/A
20.8
28.4
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
11.4
4.8
1.2
2006
116
87
0.61
0.35
24.2
N/A
20.7
29.0
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
10.8
5.7
1.4
2005
107
93
0.74
0.42
26.1
N/A
19.6
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
7.5
1.8
2004
106
92
0.74
0.40
25.8
N/A
18.5
25.2
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
7.1
1.4
2003
107
55
0.81
0.43
27.4
N/A
18.4
21.6
0.021
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
1.6
2002
122
59
0.76
0.49
27.9
N/A
19.9
22.2
0.008
0.003
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.5
1.7
2001
121
74
0.80
0.49
29.5
N/A
22.3
24.0
0.020
0.009
27.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
2.5
2000
115
85
0.92
0.52
29.8
N/A
20.3
25.1
0.022
0.017
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
3.0
Natural disasters
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
56.4%
75.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.8%
18.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
17%
24%
Transportation
Brooklyn residents have access to an extensive public transit system, including subways and buses, making commuting easier. Jacksonville relies heavily on cars, with a more limited public transit system, and traffic can be a concern.
Transport
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
149
566
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
34
Means of transportation to work
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Bicycle
0.5%
0.2%
Bus
10.4%
1.1%
Carpooled
8%
9%
Car alone
22.4%
86.5%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
1.4%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
44.8%
0%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.2%
Walked
8.8%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Average
44.5 min
27.5 min
Real Estate
Real Estate in Brooklyn is much pricier compared to Jacksonville, with homes selling for over double on average. The market in Brooklyn tends to be competitive, while in Jacksonville, despite recent growth, it remains a buyer's market.
Neighborhoods
Brooklyn's neighborhoods are diverse, from the hipster-grunge feel of Williamsburg to the quiet family-oriented Park Slope. Jacksonville's distinctive neighborhoods range from the beachside community of Atlantic Beach to the historic Riverside and Avondale.
Houses and residents
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Houses
930,866
422,315
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.5
Houses occupied
880,727 (94.6%)
386,283 (91.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
238,290 (27.1%)
226,429 (58.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
642,437 (72.9%)
159,854 (41.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,589
$1,444
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,621,117
$260,045
Estimated median house or condo value
$793,300
$239,400
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.2
6.3
Renting percentage
72.3%
38.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
13,184
557.4
Household income disparities
48.5%
44.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
29,251 (32.9%)
2,439 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
183 (0.2%)
8,460 (5.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
59,793 (67.1%)
150,468 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
4,512 (5.1%)
255 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,098 (5.7%)
11,378 (7.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
45,971
19,601
State government workers
27,527
13,692
Unpaid family workers
2,234
1,066
Industries and Occupations
In Brooklyn, the most common occupations are in management, business, science, and arts. Jacksonville has a diverse job market with prevalent occupations in sales, office, administrative support, and management.
Brooklyn boasts some of the nation's top hospitals and a highly developed health care sector. Jacksonville is home to renowned health facilities like Mayo Clinic and Wolfson Children's Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Brooklyn boasts a robust infrastructure, with well-established transportation, utilities, and broadband networks. In comparison, Jacksonville is spread out, and while its infrastructure is sound, there could be more investment in public transportation and bike lanes.
Infrastructure
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Hospitals
104
25
TV stations
29
17
Bank branches located here
271
191
Bank institutions located here
41
31
Main business address for public companies
9
23
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
12
20
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
75
20
Schools
School facilities
Type
Brooklyn
Jacksonville
Private elementary/middle schools
151
38
Private high schools
128
56
Public elementary/middle schools
405
145
Public high schools
176
55
Colleges/Universities
48
30
Culture and Food
Brooklyn offers a melting pot of cultures and a food scene famous for its diversity and innovation, offering flavors from around the world. Jacksonville also has a vibrant food scene, strong in Southern cooking, seafood, and traditional American fare.
Sports Teams
Brooklyn is home to NBA's Brooklyn Nets and NHL's New York Islanders. Jacksonville hosts the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Both cities are passionate about their sports teams and offer a thrilling sports culture.
Brooklyn, NY
Jacksonville, FL
Brooklyn, NY and 
Jacksonville, FL : 834.3 miles
