Jacksonville and Staten Island are unique in their own ways, offering different experiences, amenities and opportunities. From climate to culture, tax systems to transportation, there are many elements that can make a city a good fit for someone. This comparison can provide a clearer look at the diverse lifestyles present in these two areas, making it easier for individuals or tourists to determine which locale suits them best.
Jacksonville, FL has a higher crime rate compared to the national average, with crime rates varying by neighborhoods. It includes both property crimes and violent crimes. It's recommended to research specific neighborhoods before settling in.
Staten Island, being the least populated of New York's boroughs, boasts lower crime rates compared to the other boroughs. It's considered safer with mostly residential neighborhoods.
Cost of Living
Compared to Staten Island, the cost of living in Jacksonville is significantly cheaper - from housing, groceries, to miscellaneous expenses. Despite being in New York City, Staten Island has a lower cost of living compared to Manhattan but higher than Jacksonville.
Income Tax
Florida, including Jacksonville, has no State Income Tax. On the contrary, New York, including Staten Island, does impose a state income tax that ranges from 4% to 8.82%.
Property Tax
Jacksonville's property tax is reasonably lower, while Staten Island has one of the lower property tax rates compared to other NYC boroughs but is higher than Jacksonville.
Sales Tax
In Jacksonville, the combined sales tax rate is 7%. In Staten Island, the combined New York State and City Sales Tax is 8.875%.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$86,054
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$38,678
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
164.1
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $92,922 in Staten Island to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Staten Island traits a hilly landscape with high cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean proximity; Jacksonville is flatter, more spread-out, and also features beautiful beachfront areas.
Geographical information
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Land area
757.7 sq. miles
58.5 sq. miles
Population density
1,259.9 people per sq. mile
8,225.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Jacksonville, FL Staten Island, NY
Education
Jacksonville is home to great educational institutions including the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Florida State College.
Staten Island offers exceptional public and private schools and is home to colleges like Wagner College and the College of Staten Island.
Jacksonville's economy relies on tourism, healthcare, banking, and logistics. The job market is dynamic with growing sectors.
Staten Island, as part of NYC, enjoys a robust economy with jobs in sectors like healthcare, education, and retail.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, major employers include Baptist Health, the City of Jacksonville, and Bank of America. Meanwhile in Staten Island, top employers include Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center, and the City of New York.
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Staten Island (Richmond County), 50.8% voted for Democrats and 48.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
2020
51.3%
42.2%
47.5%
57.1%
1.2%
0.7%
2016
47.2%
41.0%
48.6%
56.1%
4.2%
2.9%
2012
47.9%
50.8%
51.5%
48.3%
0.6%
0.9%
2008
49.0%
47.8%
51.0%
51.9%
0.0%
0.4%
2004
41.7%
42.8%
57.9%
56.5%
0.3%
0.7%
2000
40.9%
52.1%
57.7%
45.1%
1.4%
2.9%
1996
44.2%
50.5%
50.0%
40.8%
5.8%
8.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
0.2%
22.3%
3.5%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
54.2%
2.8%
20.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.4%
2.3%
5.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
1.7%
0.6%
3.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.6%
0.9%
4.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.1%
1.4%
2.5%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
0.2%
1.0%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
0.5%
0.2%
1.0%
Weather
Jacksonville is warm year-round with high humidity in summers and mild temperatures in winters, ideal for those who love the beach or outdoor activities. It also experiences hurricanes during hurricane season (June-November).
Staten Island features a humid subtropical climate. It experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snow, offering four distinct seasons.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
54.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
67.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
29.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
77%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
47.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
47.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
60 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
15.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
60.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
44%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
10.5 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Staten Island, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Jacksonville
Staten Island
2018
78
94
N/A
0.35
17.1
N/A
24.5
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
7.9
N/A
0.4
2017
74
98
N/A
0.32
17.0
N/A
24.7
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
7.6
0.7
0.2
2016
65
94
0.50
0.37
17.9
N/A
24.9
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
7.7
0.4
0.2
2015
63
102
0.35
0.39
18.9
N/A
25.4
27.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.9
8.6
0.3
0.4
2014
66
97
0.27
0.38
19.2
N/A
24.3
25.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.9
8.3
0.7
0.7
2013
68
99
0.18
0.39
19.6
N/A
23.0
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.3
8.5
0.7
0.8
2012
66
102
0.10
0.42
19.3
N/A
24.0
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
9.2
0.6
1.4
2011
88
108
0.28
0.42
21.4
N/A
26.6
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.1
10.2
0.8
2.0
2010
77
114
0.31
0.40
19.9
N/A
26.4
28.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
9.4
0.8
1.8
2009
72
105
0.16
0.39
22.5
N/A
25.0
25.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
9.5
0.6
2.4
2008
75
111
0.15
0.39
23.0
N/A
27.6
24.3
N/A
0.013
N/A
N/A
10.0
11.3
0.9
3.4
2007
92
123
0.29
0.44
24.2
N/A
28.4
23.3
N/A
0.016
N/A
N/A
11.4
12.0
1.2
4.3
2006
87
117
0.35
0.55
25.6
N/A
29.0
24.7
N/A
0.018
N/A
N/A
10.8
13.1
1.4
5.3
2005
93
112
0.42
0.69
27.3
N/A
26.5
23.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
7.3
2004
92
109
0.40
0.68
26.4
N/A
25.2
22.2
N/A
0.030
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
6.9
2003
55
112
0.43
0.76
28.0
N/A
21.6
22.1
N/A
0.006
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
7.1
2002
59
125
0.49
0.74
30.6
N/A
22.2
24.7
0.003
0.008
26.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
6.6
2001
74
124
0.49
0.81
32.4
N/A
24.0
24.9
0.009
0.020
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
7.2
2000
85
116
0.52
0.93
33.0
N/A
25.1
23.1
0.017
0.022
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
7.2
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
61.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
31.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
19%
Transportation
Jacksonville offers a variety of transportation options including bus lines, a monorail system and several highways. Staten Island is accessible via ferry, bus, train and expressway. It is well-connected to other NYC boroughs.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
566
39
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Bicycle
0.2%
0.2%
Bus
1.1%
19.2%
Carpooled
9%
12.1%
Car alone
86.5%
54.3%
Ferryboat
0%
5.3%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Railroad
0%
0.9%
Subway
0%
2.6%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.4%
Walked
1.2%
2.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Average
27.5 min
45.3 min
Real Estate
Jacksonville's real estate market is relatively affordable compared to other major U.S. cities. In contrast, Staten Island's real estate market sits on the higher end but offers a variety of housing options from apartments to detached homes.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighborhoods. From Jacksonville's beach communities to Staten Island’s historic districts, you’ll find a neighborhood to suit any lifestyle.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Houses
422,315
163,993
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.8
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
156,341 (95.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
99,732 (63.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
56,609 (36.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$1,320
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$369,853
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$605,500
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.1
Renting percentage
38.3%
35.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
2,804.3
Household income disparities
44.2%
43.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
19,289 (25%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
160 (0.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
57,986 (75%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
5,623 (7.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
4,499 (5.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
7,611
State government workers
13,692
6,285
Unpaid family workers
1,066
394
Industries and Occupations
Jacksonville has key sectors in banking, logistics, healthcare, and insurance. It's also a military city, home to several bases. Staten Island has made strides in healthcare, retail, and education sectors.
Both cities boast excellent healthcare facilities. Jacksonville is renowned for the Mayo Clinic and Baptist Medical Center. Staten Island has the Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center.
Despite its size, Jacksonville has a well-developed infrastructure with a variety of amenities, from beautiful parks to top-notch medical facilities. Despite being an island, Staten Island has managed to set a standard by developing an infrastructure that includes high-quality hospitals, parks and recreational centers, educational institutions, and more.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Hospitals
25
25
TV stations
17
30
Bank branches located here
191
104
Bank institutions located here
31
19
Main business address for public companies
23
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
20
3
Schools
School facilities
Type
Jacksonville
Staten Island
Private elementary/middle schools
38
22
Private high schools
56
13
Public elementary/middle schools
145
63
Public high schools
55
16
Colleges/Universities
30
5
Culture and Food
Jacksonville has a diverse culinary scene, influenced by Southern cuisine. Meanwhile, Staten Island is a food lover's paradise with a plethora of international cuisines owing to New York's multicultural population.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. On Staten Island, although there aren’t any major league teams, you'll find many passionate New York Yankees fans and a minor league baseball team, the Staten Island Yankees.
Jacksonville, FL
Staten Island, NY
Jacksonville, FL and 
Staten Island, NY : 825.0 miles
