Jacksonville and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Jacksonville | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,683,960 | 2,793,746 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,643 | $78,533 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,752 | $40,221 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 526/sq mi | 800/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $343,400 | $369,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,513 | $1,760 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 63.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.5% | 0.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.5% | 36.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 11.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 11,883 | 21,266 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 7.1 | 7.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -14.0% | -22.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 92°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 47°F | 50°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 51.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 18 mi | 3 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.8 min | 31.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.3 | 38.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Jacksonville
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, hurricane.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Jacksonville, FL Metro Area · Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology