Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Tallahassee, FL
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 162 mi and about 3h 3m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
162 mi · 3h 3m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 17, FL 228, I 10 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Tallahassee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 93.919 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 87.471 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 78.528 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 99.484 to 93.919, putting Tallahassee roughly 5.6% below Jacksonville on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $282,895 vs $291,127 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Tallahassee +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 58.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, TALLAHASSEE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 199,696 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $55,931 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 28 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 28.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Tallahassee is 5.6% below Jacksonville ($66,981 → $55,931, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tallahassee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,350 | $36,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,350 | $49,900 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,450 | $27,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,180 | $29,970 |
| Management Occupations | 12,840 | $84,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tallahassee average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tallahassee averages 58.8 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Tallahassee more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tallahassee is 5.6% lower than Jacksonville (93.919 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tallahassee, FL from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 162 mi and the route typically takes 3h 3m via US 17 and FL 228. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Tallahassee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,931 in Tallahassee vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 16.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Tallahassee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 162 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tallahassee compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 181,050 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tallahassee compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,127 in Tallahassee vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 2.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Tallahassee, FL.