Is Jacksonville Beach Safe, Pros and cons of living in Jacksonville Beach
Is it Safe to Live in Jacksonville Beach?
Jacksonville Beach generally experiences a low crime rate, making it a relatively safe place to live. The overall crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with violent crimes also being considerably less frequent (as reported by AreaVibes). This safety is further underscored by the fact that many neighborhoods within Jacksonville Beach receive high safety ratings, indicating minimal criminal activity (as reported by DoorProfit).
While Jacksonville Beach is considered safe, it’s worth noting that crime can vary by neighborhood. Some areas may experience slightly higher crime counts than others, though these are often still well below national averages. Residents generally perceive the southwest part of the city as the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The entire analyzed area of Jacksonville Beach has received a Grade A for safety, reflecting a low level of crime compared to other U.S. cities (as reported by DoorProfit).
Cost of Living and Housing in Jacksonville Beach
Housing Expenses
The cost of housing in Jacksonville Beach is higher than the national average, with housing expenses being approximately 32% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). The median home price in Jacksonville Beach is around $640,000, which is higher than the average for Florida but still more affordable compared to similar properties in other beach cities (as reported by Sold With Lyle Gardner). For renters, the median rent for a two-bedroom unit typically falls between $2,100 and $2,400 per month (as reported by Sold With Lyle Gardner).
As of March 2026, the median listing price for homes in Jacksonville Beach was $747,000, with a median rent of $3,000 per month. The price per square foot for sale listings is $463/ft² (as reported by realtor.com®). More recent data from March 2026 indicates an average home value of $632,971, which is down 2.1% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The average rent as of May 2026 is $1,761 per month, which is 7% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper).
Overall Cost of Living
Jacksonville Beach’s overall cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, estimated to be around 3% higher (as reported by PayScale). However, this is considered moderate when compared to other popular coastal cities in the U.S. Utility prices are lower than the national average by about 9%, and transportation expenses like gas and bus fares are 15% lower (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices are about 5% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).
The median household income in Jacksonville Beach is reported to be around $92,000, with an average annual salary ranging between $60,000 and $75,000 (as reported by Sold With Lyle Gardner). To live comfortably in Jacksonville Beach, an annual income of about $80,000 is typically recommended (as reported by Sold With Lyle Gardner). The median household income in Jacksonville Beach is $120,698, with a poverty rate of 4.8% (as reported by Data USA).
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Jacksonville Beach and its surrounding areas host a variety of major employers, particularly in sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics. Major companies with a significant presence in the broader Jacksonville area include Amazon, Bank of America, UF Health Jacksonville, and Florida Blue (as reported by JAXUSA). Other notable employers in the region include Publix Super Markets, Mayo Clinic, and Fidelity Investments (as reported by Wikipedia and Indeed.com).
Within Jacksonville Beach itself, companies like Caddie Master Enterprises Inc. and GORUCK have been noted (as reported by Zippia). The employment sectors that are most common for residents of Jacksonville Beach include Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, and Accommodation & Food Services (as reported by Data USA).
Salaries and Unemployment
The average annual salary in Jacksonville Beach is approximately $42,549, which translates to about $20.46 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, another source indicates the average salary in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is $65,221, with an equivalent hourly rate of $31 (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). Most salaries in Jacksonville Beach range between $30,713 and $51,900 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
The unemployment rate in the wider Jacksonville metropolitan area was 5.10% as of January 2026 (as reported by YCharts). More recent data from April 2026 indicates the Jacksonville metropolitan area’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in January 2025, marking the highest jobless rate since November 2020 (as reported by Jax Daily Record).
Climate and Demographics
Climate
Jacksonville Beach experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, oppressive summers and short, cool winters. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from an average low of 48°F in January to an average high of 90°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area receives an annual precipitation of about 52 inches, with August being the wettest month, averaging around 7 inches of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The hot season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 84°F. The coolest months are December through March, with average daily high temperatures below 69°F. The city is generally considered to have comfortable weather from February to May and again from mid-October to December (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Demographics
Jacksonville Beach is home to a population of approximately 23,700 residents (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Jacksonville Beach is around 46 years old (as reported by Jacksonville Beach, FL Population 2026). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White, accounting for about 87.1% of the population, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other racial groups (as reported by Jacksonville Beach, FL Population 2026).
Approximately 98.4% of Jacksonville Beach residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The majority of residents drive alone to work, with an average commute time of 23.7 minutes (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Jacksonville Beach is 68.8%, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).
Education and Schools
School Ratings
Jacksonville Beach is served by the Duval County Public School District. Among the local schools, Jacksonville Beach Elementary School stands out, consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in Florida. It has received a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranks within the top 1% of all public schools in Florida for overall test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com and Niche). San Pablo Elementary School is also highly rated, ranking within the top 175 elementary schools in Florida (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School serves older students and also demonstrates strong academic results, with test scores that exceed district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Despite the strong performance of individual schools like Jacksonville Beach Elementary, the Duval school district as a whole faces challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates that can impact student achievement (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).