Boston vs Jacksonville

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Boston feels like approximately $34,798 in Jacksonville.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Boston feels like $34,798 in Jacksonville. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 50%.

Income
Housing

Boston

Jacksonville

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
high
 
low
1BR Rent
$2,476/mo
 
$1,382/mo
State Tax
MA tax applies
 
No income tax
Take-Home /mo
$4,278
 
$4,803
Remote Work Fit
Boston's dense transit makes car-free remote work viable. Remote workers should weigh housing costs carefully — the metro's premium reflects in-person employment demand more than remote worker value.
 
Jacksonville offers one of the stronger value propositions for remote workers in Florida — beach proximity, no state income tax, and low housing costs relative to Miami and Tampa.
Walk Score
83
 
26
Getting By
$60-80k · Boston vs Jacksonville
Income Reality Check

Your details stay on your device. Sharing generates an image only.

Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,278/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Boston, your picture shifts from getting-by toward getting-by.

No city is objectively better. Boston and Jacksonville each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

Related comparisons

Boston vs New York CityBoston vs PhiladelphiaBoston vs Washington, DC
Boston profile Jacksonville profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Boston vs Jacksonville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Jacksonville?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $2,476/mo in Boston and $1,382/mo in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Jacksonville to match Boston?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Boston feels like approximately $34,798 in Jacksonville — a reduction of about 50% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Boston and Jacksonville?

Boston is in MA (MA levies income tax) and Jacksonville is in FL (no state income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.