Chicago, IL, and Jacksonville, FL have their unique qualities which make them attractive to different individuals. While Chicago boasts a robust economy, affluent culture, and thriving sports scene, Jacksonville provides a warmer climate, lower cost of living, and less crowded space. The following comparison will delve into the critical fronts of relocating such as crime and safety, weather, cost, education, and so forth.
Distance between
Chicago, IL and
Jacksonville, FL : 863.5 miles
Chicago's population is larger by 183%. Its population has decreased by 199,461 people (6.9%) since 2000. The population of Jacksonville has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) during that time.
Chicago has a high crime rate compared to Jacksonville, although crime hotspots exist in both cities. Gang-related violence and shootings are a significant issue in particular Chicago neighborhoods, but the city has also undertaken measures to increase safety. Meanwhile, Jacksonville has lower overall crime, but residents are still advised to take precautions, especially in selected areas downtown and in the northern region of the city.
Cost of Living
On average, the cost of living in Jacksonville is considerably lower than in Chicago. From housing expenses to health care and groceries, Jacksonville residents tend to spend less. This makes Jacksonville an appealing choice for people looking for a more affordable lifestyle.
Income Tax
In Illinois, where Chicago is located, residents pay a flat rate state income tax of 4.95%. On the contrary, Jacksonville residents benefit from Florida's 0% state income tax rate.
Property Tax
Chicago has a notably higher property tax rate compared to Jacksonville. While Jacksonville property tax rates are around 0.9%, Chicago home-owners can expect a property tax rate around 2.1%.
Sales Tax
Chicago's combined city and state sales tax is one of the highest in the country at over 10%. Jacksonville residents enjoy a combined city and state tax rate of about 7%, which is significantly lower.
Income
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Estimated median household income
$66,576
$58,621
Estimated per capita income
$43,217
$32,953
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
104.8
88.3
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $59,343 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Chicago, beautifully positioned along Lake Michigan, is flat, with some beaches and parks contributing to its green space. Jacksonville, located in Florida, is proximate to the ocean, with numerous beaches and waterways, including the St. Johns River.
Both cities provide a range of high-quality educational opportunities. In the Chicago area, you'll find top-rated schools and prestigious universities like the University of Chicago. In Jacksonville, also there are excellent schools and universities, with The University of North Florida taking the lead.
Chicago's diverse economy extends to sectors such as finance, publishing, food processing, and manufacturing. Jacksonville's economy leans more towards military and defense, finance, information services, biomedical technology, and consumer goods. Both cities potentially offer ample job opportunities depending on your industry.
Biggest Employers
In Chicago, the biggest employers are the federal and local government, public school system, and the Advocate Health Care. Whereas, in Jacksonville, Naval Air Station, Duval County Public Schools, and the City of Jacksonville are the top employers.
There were 414 building permits issued in Chicago in 2012 (200 more than in 2011) compared to 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011).
In Chicago (Cook County), 74.0% voted for Democrats and 24.6% 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
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
2020
74.6%
51.3%
24.1%
47.5%
1.3%
1.2%
2016
74.4%
47.2%
20.9%
48.6%
4.7%
4.2%
2012
74.0%
47.9%
24.6%
51.5%
1.4%
0.6%
2008
76.4%
49.0%
22.9%
51.0%
0.7%
0.0%
2004
70.3%
41.7%
29.2%
57.9%
0.6%
0.3%
2000
69.0%
40.9%
28.8%
57.7%
2.3%
1.4%
1996
66.8%
44.2%
26.7%
50.0%
6.5%
5.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
CATHOLIC CHURCH
37.5%
9.0%
11.1%
2.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.9%
0.7%
1.8%
0.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.3%
4.3%
0.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
15.8%
5.4%
22.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.3%
3.6%
0.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.1%
1.6%
0.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.2%
1.8%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.9%
1.4%
Weather
Weather is a factor that differentiates these two cities greatly. Jacksonville has a subtropical climate, boasting mild winters and hot, humid summers. On the contrary, Chicago is known for its cold, snowy winters and hot summers, providing residents a distinct season change.
Weather and climate
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Temperature - Average
50.3°F
68.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
78.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
44%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
92%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
54%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.8 in
51.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
77.6 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14%
15.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
69.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
35%
58%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
7.2 mph
Average climate in Chicago, Illinois
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Chicago
Jacksonville
Chicago
Jacksonville
2018
97
78
0.26
N/A
14.3
N/A
26.2
24.5
N/A
N/A
23.6
N/A
9.3
7.1
1.7
N/A
2017
95
74
0.25
N/A
14.3
N/A
26.4
24.7
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
8.7
5.8
1.4
0.7
2016
95
65
0.21
0.50
14.9
N/A
26.5
24.9
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.1
5.2
0.8
0.4
2015
92
63
0.51
0.35
15.0
N/A
25.4
25.4
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
10.5
4.9
0.9
0.3
2014
101
66
0.45
0.27
18.0
N/A
25.1
24.3
N/A
N/A
28.9
N/A
10.7
5.9
1.3
0.7
2013
100
68
0.37
0.18
18.3
N/A
23.8
23.0
N/A
N/A
30.3
N/A
11.1
5.3
1.0
0.7
2012
112
66
0.36
0.10
18.8
N/A
25.7
24.0
N/A
N/A
31.3
N/A
12.1
5.8
1.7
0.6
2011
101
88
0.38
0.28
18.6
N/A
24.8
26.6
N/A
N/A
21.9
N/A
12.8
8.1
2.4
0.8
2010
103
77
0.37
0.31
20.4
N/A
25.4
26.4
N/A
N/A
22.2
N/A
12.9
7.1
1.4
0.8
2009
106
72
0.29
0.16
20.0
N/A
22.4
25.0
0.025
N/A
20.1
N/A
12.9
8.5
1.4
0.6
2008
108
75
0.32
0.15
22.8
N/A
22.8
27.6
0.026
N/A
22.7
N/A
12.5
10.0
1.8
0.9
2007
125
92
0.34
0.29
23.6
N/A
23.9
28.4
0.027
N/A
25.9
N/A
13.1
11.4
2.2
1.2
2006
95
87
0.31
0.35
23.0
N/A
21.1
29.0
0.029
N/A
22.0
N/A
N/A
10.8
2.6
1.4
2005
110
93
0.55
0.42
23.5
N/A
23.3
26.5
0.027
N/A
26.2
N/A
N/A
12.2
3.3
1.8
2004
85
92
0.83
0.40
23.9
N/A
20.3
25.2
0.032
N/A
23.4
N/A
N/A
12.4
4.1
1.4
2003
99
55
0.69
0.43
25.1
N/A
20.0
21.6
0.030
N/A
23.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.1
1.6
2002
114
59
0.83
0.49
26.5
N/A
20.8
22.2
0.029
0.003
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
1.7
2001
107
74
0.83
0.49
27.3
N/A
19.2
24.0
0.031
0.009
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
2.5
2000
104
85
0.88
0.52
24.8
N/A
17.6
25.1
0.046
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.2
3.0
Natural disasters
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
145.8%
75.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
136.9%
18.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
24%
Transportation
Chicago has an excellent public transportation system featuring buses, trains, and the 'L' rail system. Additionally, the city is bike-friendly with dedicated lanes all across. Jacksonville is more car-dependant due to its sprawling nature, though it also has bus and Skyway monorail service.
Transport
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
566
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
34
Means of transportation to work
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Bicycle
1.6%
0.2%
Bus
8%
1.1%
Carpooled
8.3%
9%
Car alone
62.3%
86.5%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Streetcar
6.8%
0%
Subway
3.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.2%
Walked
5.9%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Average
36.9 min
27.5 min
Other means
33.1 min
25 min
Public transportation
44.8 min
43.7 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
86.7%
89.4%
In 2 person carpool
9.3%
8%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
1.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is considerably more expensive in Chicago than in Jacksonville. In general, Chicago offers a range of upmarket apartments and houses, while you can find more affordable homes and expansive properties in Jacksonville.
Neighborhoods
Chicago is known for its diverse neighborhoods, each carrying its distinctive charm and culture. From the bustling streets of The Loop to the quiet and largely residential Edison Park, Chicago is a city of contrasts. Jacksonville too boasts different neighborhoods, with the quiet and leafy Mandarin attracting families while the Riverside and Avondale cater to artists and creatives.
Houses and residents
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Houses
1,272,191
422,315
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.5
Median year apartment built
1955
1985
Median year house/condo built
1951
1987
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.7 years
12.5 years
Houses occupied
1,139,537 (89.6%)
386,283 (91.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
530,977 (46.6%)
226,429 (58.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
608,560 (53.4%)
159,854 (41.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,546
$1,444
Median monthly housing costs
$1,356
$1,154
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$355,671
$260,045
Estimated median house or condo value
$297,300
$239,400
Median numbers of rooms
4.8
5.6
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$357,707
$282,276
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$345,352
$177,341
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$477,161
$144,947
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$439,589
$220,508
Median house price - mobile homes
$472,017
$87,589
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$518,665
$213,709
Median house price - All housing units
$388,874
$266,926
Median house age
70
36
Renting percentage
55.1%
38.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,601.1
557.4
House value disparities
35.6%
33.2%
Household income disparities
48.4%
44.2%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$110,175
$83,160
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,495
$59,777
Housing units without a mortgage
6,624 (1.9%)
2,439 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
17,661 (5.1%)
8,460 (5.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
339,523 (98.1%)
150,468 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
808 (0.2%)
255 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
25,416 (7.3%)
11,378 (7.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
2
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.5%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.8%
1.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Chicago
Jacksonville
One, detached
26.4%
59.4%
One, attached
3.5%
6.1%
Two
13.3%
2.1%
3 or 4
14.0%
5.3%
5 to 9
11.0%
5.0%
10 to 19
4.6%
7.9%
20 to 49
6.5%
4.9%
50 or more
20.6%
5.3%
Mobile homes
0.2%
3.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
67,964
19,601
State government workers
41,316
13,692
Unpaid family workers
4,164
1,066
Industries and Occupations
Chicago's economy is touted as one of the most diverse in the world with sectors ranging from finance, manufacturing, publishing, and food processing thriving. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has a strong representation in financial services, healthcare, logistics, and military sectors.
Chicago is home to some of the top medical facilities in the country, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Jacksonville is home to Mayo Clinic, offering cutting-edge medical treatments and research.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Chicago's infrastructure is more developed given its history as a long-standing metropolitan hub. It enjoys an extensive public transportation system, top-notch medical facilities, and a robust network of highways. Jacksonville, while more spread out, has been improving its infrastructure, with sizable investment into roads, bridges, and public transit system in recent years.
Infrastructure
Type
Chicago
Jacksonville
Hospitals
86
25
TV stations
22
17
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
740
191
Bank institutions located here
99
31
Main business address for public companies
110
23
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
22
20
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Chicago
Jacksonville
1999
7,501
5,422
2000
8,763
4,132
2001
7,090
3,038
2002
7,745
2,017
2003
10,485
3,563
2004
14,761
4,781
2005
24,041
7,134
2006
29,365
8,812
2007
17,767
5,298
2008
8,601
1,719
2009
3,506
676
Culture and Food
Chicago is a cultural hub, with thriving music (particularly blues and jazz), expansive art scene and world-class museums. The food scene is equally diverse, with deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs being the staples. Jacksonville, while more laid-back, has an expanding arts scene and a marked influence of southern cooking, featuring dishes like shrimp and grits.
Sports Teams
Chicago sports fans enjoy support to the Cubs (MLB), the Bears (NFL), the Blackhawks (NHL), and the Bulls (NBA). Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MiLB).
Chicago, IL
Jacksonville, FL
Chicago, IL and 
Jacksonville, FL : 863.5 miles
