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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
These cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Jacksonville leads at an index of 92 — for better or worse — with rent at just $1,576/month — 17% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal…
These cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Jacksonville leads at an index of 92 — for better or worse — with rent at just $1,576/month — 17% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
Jacksonville earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 92 cost index sits 19 points below the national baseline, and the $66,981 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $282,367 — $185,003 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 92, while Healthcare trails at 98.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Jacksonville (index 92 — and that's before you even look at taxes — , rent $1,576); Colorado Springs (index 97, rent $1,667). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
That tracks.
Before celebrating, check the next metric: Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 111 — for better or worse — , rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking significantly outperform those benchmarks. The practical impact: more room for childcare, savings, or just breathing room.
Bottom line: Jacksonville, FL leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers (yes, really).
#1 Ranked: Jacksonville, FL — cost index 92, rent $1,576/mo, income $66,981
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JacksonvilleFL | 92 | $1,576 | Details |
| 2 | Colorado SpringsCO | 97 | $1,667 | Details |
985,843 residents · Florida
The #1 spot goes to Jacksonville, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,576/month — saving renters $3,828 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 92, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 98. A 28% rent-to-income ratio keeps most households inside the safe zone.
488,664 residents · Colorado
The #2 spot goes to Colorado Springs, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,667/month — saving renters $2,736 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 97, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 99. At a 24% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Jacksonville (ranked #1) has a cost index of 92 and rent of $1,576/mo, while Colorado Springs (ranked #2) has a cost index of 97 and rent of $1,667/mo — a 5-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Jacksonville is $1,576/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $319 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Jacksonville is $282,367, which is 4.2× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.