Moving from Orlando, FL to Jacksonville, FL
The 158 mi from Orlando to Jacksonville translate to about 3h 6m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
158 mi · 3h 6m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 417 TOLL, I 4 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jacksonville and Orlando is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jacksonville is 1.9% below Orlando — $374,136 vs $282,895 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 47.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Orlando (73.0°F) and Jacksonville (71.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jacksonville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Orlando ($69,268) and Jacksonville ($66,981) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 3.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 73.0°F in Orlando (1.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 51.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Orlando to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 158 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 1.9% lower than Orlando (99.484 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 24.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 158 mi and the route typically takes 3h 6m via I 95 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Jacksonville, FL.