Moving from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville, FL
The 200 mi from Tampa to Jacksonville translate to about 4h 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.
200 mi · 4h by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 301, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, Lakeland, Clearwater, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jacksonville and Tampa 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 1.4% below Tampa — $374,888 vs $282,895 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 47.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Tampa (74.5°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: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.5 |
Income steps down 1.4%: $71,302 in Tampa vs $66,981 in Jacksonville.
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 far is Jacksonville, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 200 mi and the route typically takes 4h via I 75 and US 301. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 1.4% lower than Tampa (99.484 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 24.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 6.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 74.5°F in Tampa (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 49.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Jacksonville, FL.