Jacksonville, FL, and Fort Worth, TX, offer diverse and vibrant living experiences. Each city has its unique characteristics, from their cultural cuisines to sports teams, tax policies, and weather patterns. There are several factors to consider if you're thinking about relocating or visiting these cities. Let's unpack these similarities and differences to give you a comprehensive comparison of what both cities offer for residents and visitors.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Fort Worth, TX : 937.1 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 2%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Fort Worth has grown by 400,814 people (75.0%) during that time.
Both Jacksonville and Fort Worth deal with issues of crime, as do all sizable cities. However, Fort Worth has a lower crime rate compared to Jacksonville as per recent data. Jacksonville struggles with a higher than average crime rate, and safety remains a prominent concern for both residents and visitors. In contrast, Fort Worth has set several initiatives to reduce crime, including community policing efforts, but it's essential to research and stay informed on the safer neighborhoods in both cities.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Jacksonville is slightly lower than in Fort Worth. Housing costs significantly contribute to this difference. Groceries, transportation, and health cost tend to be cheaper in Jacksonville. However, both cities comparatively offer affordable living when compared to the national average.
Income Tax
Florida does not have a state income tax, while Texas also does not impose a state income tax. This can be beneficial for residents of both cities depending on their income.
Property Tax
In general, the property tax rate in Fort Worth is higher coompared to Jacksonville. Owners in Fort Worth can expect property taxes around 2.18%, while in Jacksonville it is closer to 0.93%.
Sales Tax
Florida does not have a state sales tax, and the overall sales tax in Jacksonville is 7.0%. Texas does have a state sales tax, and the total sales tax in Fort Worth is 8.25%.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$68,235
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$34,106
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
95.4
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $54,020 in Fort Worth to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is in Northeast Florida alongside the Atlantic Ocean, characterized by flat terrains and extensive coastal areas. Fort Worth is in North Central Texas, with a landscape featuring plains and low rolling hills.
Both Jacksonville and Fort Worth have diverse educational opportunities with several public and private schools. Jacksonville is home to the Duval County Public Schools, one of the top-rated districts in Florida, while Fort Worth hosts the Fort Worth Independent School District. Both cities are also home to multiple highly respected universities and colleges.
The economy of both cities is diverse. Jacksonville's economy is mainly driven by banking, insurance, healthcare, and logistics. Fort Worth's economy, on the other hand, is bolstered by sectors such as aviation, healthcare, and education. Both cities have dynamic job markets, but the job growth rates vary.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, some of the largest employers are Baptist Health, Bank Of America Merrill Lynch and Duval County Public Schools. For Fort Worth, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, American Airlines and Texas Health Resources are some of the biggest employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 7,236 building permits issued in Fort Worth in 2012 (4810 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fort Worth (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
2020
51.3%
49.3%
47.5%
49.1%
1.2%
1.6%
2016
47.2%
43.2%
48.6%
51.8%
4.2%
5.0%
2012
47.9%
41.4%
51.5%
57.1%
0.6%
1.4%
2008
49.0%
43.8%
51.0%
55.5%
0.0%
0.7%
2004
41.7%
37.0%
57.9%
62.5%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
40.9%
36.9%
57.7%
60.9%
1.4%
2.3%
1996
44.2%
41.6%
50.0%
50.9%
5.8%
7.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
17.3%
22.3%
33.3%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
11.1%
2.8%
1.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.3%
2.3%
0.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
2.2%
0.6%
0.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
0.7%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
1.4%
1.6%
Weather
The weather in Jacksonville is typically warm and humid, characteristic of a subtropical climate, with an average of 221 sunny days per year. On the other hand, Fort Worth has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters. It experiences an average of 229 sunny days per year. For beach-goers, Jacksonville offers closer proximity to the Atlantic coastline.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
65°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
71.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
34.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
82.1%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
35 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
4.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
22.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
66.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
54%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Fort Worth, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
2018
78
67
N/A
N/A
5.8
N/A
24.5
27.1
N/A
N/A
7.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2017
74
67
N/A
N/A
6.2
N/A
24.7
27.2
N/A
N/A
5.8
N/A
0.7
N/A
2016
65
56
0.50
N/A
6.3
N/A
24.9
25.5
N/A
N/A
5.2
N/A
0.4
N/A
2015
63
61
0.35
N/A
6.5
N/A
25.4
24.8
N/A
N/A
4.9
N/A
0.3
N/A
2014
66
56
0.27
0.22
6.8
N/A
24.3
26.6
N/A
N/A
5.9
N/A
0.7
N/A
2013
68
64
0.18
0.25
6.4
N/A
23.0
26.5
N/A
N/A
5.3
N/A
0.7
N/A
2012
66
87
0.10
0.26
7.8
N/A
24.0
30.3
N/A
N/A
5.8
N/A
0.6
N/A
2011
88
79
0.28
0.23
7.9
N/A
26.6
30.7
N/A
N/A
8.1
N/A
0.8
N/A
2010
77
70
0.31
0.23
8.5
N/A
26.4
27.7
N/A
N/A
7.1
N/A
0.8
N/A
2009
72
81
0.16
0.25
8.7
N/A
25.0
29.5
N/A
N/A
8.5
N/A
0.6
N/A
2008
75
69
0.15
0.25
9.6
N/A
27.6
25.8
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.9
N/A
2007
92
75
0.29
0.30
10.6
N/A
28.4
24.6
N/A
N/A
11.4
N/A
1.2
N/A
2006
87
90
0.35
0.34
10.2
N/A
29.0
29.7
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
1.4
N/A
2005
93
102
0.42
0.34
10.9
N/A
26.5
28.4
N/A
N/A
12.2
11.3
1.8
0.9
2004
92
78
0.40
0.39
10.6
N/A
25.2
25.4
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
N/A
2003
55
82
0.43
0.40
11.1
N/A
21.6
27.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
N/A
2002
59
94
0.49
0.37
11.8
N/A
22.2
25.8
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
N/A
2001
74
16
0.49
0.48
N/A
N/A
24.0
N/A
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
N/A
2000
85
17
0.52
0.55
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
249.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
562.8%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
23%
Transportation
Jacksonville's public transportation primarily consists of buses and a skyway monorail, while Fort Worth offers a comprehensive transportation network involving buses, a commuter rail service, and bike-sharing programs. Traffic and commute time in Jacksonville can be high due to its large geographic size.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
19
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
1.1%
0.4%
Carpooled
9%
11%
Car alone
86.5%
85.8%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Average
27.5 min
28.5 min
Other means
25 min
25.3 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
41.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
87.6%
In 2 person carpool
8%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
2.5%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
1.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.3%
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 in both cities varies by neighborhood, with Jacksonville offering more affordable options city-wide than Fort Worth. However, Fort Worth has seen a steady rise in property values over the years.
Neighborhoods
In both cities, various neighborhoods can cater to different lifestyle preferences. Some of the prominent neighborhoods in Jacksonville include Riverside and San Marco, while Fort Worth boasts popular areas such as West 7th and Tanglewood.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Houses
422,315
361,341
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.8
Median year apartment built
1985
1991
Median year house/condo built
1987
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
11.2 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
334,286 (92.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
185,197 (55.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
149,089 (44.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$1,068
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$1,328
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$288,576
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$249,000
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.3
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
$279,885
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$337,081
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$298,062
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$58,470
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$279,957
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$279,281
Median house age
36
29
Renting percentage
38.3%
40.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,235.2
House value disparities
33.2%
31.8%
Household income disparities
44.2%
43.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$106,170
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$72,147
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
2,986 (2.4%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
3,696 (3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
121,099 (97.6%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
66 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
5,171 (4.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
0.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
One, detached
59.4%
65.4%
One, attached
6.1%
2.9%
Two
2.1%
1.6%
3 or 4
5.3%
4.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
5.8%
10 to 19
7.9%
6.5%
20 to 49
4.9%
4.6%
50 or more
5.3%
7.0%
Mobile homes
3.8%
2.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
27,257
State government workers
13,692
8,587
Unpaid family workers
1,066
392
Industries and Occupations
In Jacksonville, the largest sectors employing residents are healthcare, finance, and logistics. Fort Worth, on the other hand, has a high concentration of jobs in education, healthcare, and the aviation industry due its location near several major airlines' headquarters.
Both cities are recognized for their access to quality health care. Jacksonville's largest hospitals include Baptist Medical Center and Mayo Clinic. For Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital and Cook Children's Medical Center are among the most significant healthcare providers.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville covers a more extensive area, which can mean longer commute times, while Fort Worth's infrastructure is developed and modern. Both cities have invested in infrastructure improvements in recent years to accommodate their growing populations.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
Hospitals
25
76
TV stations
17
25
Arenas or stadiums
2
7
Bank branches located here
191
175
Bank institutions located here
31
42
Main business address for public companies
23
24
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Fort Worth
1999
5,422
3,575
2000
4,132
2,473
2001
3,038
2,109
2002
2,017
1,701
2003
3,563
2,183
2004
4,781
3,202
2005
7,134
4,261
2006
8,812
4,161
2007
5,298
2,871
2008
1,719
1,256
2009
676
585
Culture and Food
Both cities have rich cultural scenes. Jacksonville offers a unique blend of Southern charm and Florida flair with a burgeoning food and arts scene. Fort Worth, on the other hand, is renowned for its Western heritage and a deep-rooted Texan barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine tradition.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, while Fort Worth hosts major league teams in proximity, including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Texas Rangers (MLB). Both cities have sports at the heart of their cultural identities.
Jacksonville, FL
Fort Worth, TX
Jacksonville, FL and 
Fort Worth, TX : 937.1 miles
