The Cost of Living in Jacksonville, NC

Jacksonville, NC, is well-known for being the home of Camp Lejeune, the famed Marine base. This low-key, coastal city is also known for all the boating, fishing, and water sports to be found here. Indeed, outdoor adventures abound in Jacksonville, as does fresh air and sunshine. But, there’s more to life than just outdoor adventures. Let’s talk about the cost of living in Jacksonville, NC!

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Interested in our sources? We took data from the 2021 US Census, Best Places, and Nerd Wallet to estimate the most accurate costs of living in Jacksonville, NC. We know these numbers may not always match your personal experience, but we do our best to give you a ballpark of what you can expect to pay in each category. If you have a different opinion, feel free to share it in the comments below! Now, on to the good stuff!

MOVING TIP: If you don't have a new home or apartment yet, consider reserving a storage unit in Jacksonville. That way, when you arrive, it will be ready for all your things. More importantly, you'll have extra time to house hunt while your stuff is stored safe and sound.

The Cost of Living in Jacksonville, NC

Overall, we’re 16% more affordable than other cities.

With a score of 84/100, Jacksonville, NC, is an affordable place to live. Most American families would bend over backward to save 16% on their monthly bills. In Jacksonville, NC, that extra savings comes with the territory. Now, truth be told, the biggest reason for our excellent score is housing costs. (More on those below.) Most of our cost indexes are below the national average, also, except for notably higher healthcare. (More on that cost below, also.) As with most American cities and towns, the high costs and low costs tend to balance out. In Jacksonville, NC, though, the balance has definitely tipped towards affordability.

What Is the Cost of Living in Jacksonville, NC?

Housing: Affordable

Housing costs 41% less than average in Jacksonville.

It’s not often that we can describe a cost index as very affordable. However, with a score of 59/100, Jacksonville, North Carolina, has very reasonable housing costs. Being able to save 40% over the national average on your monthly mortgage or rent? Yes, please! That could make a massive difference in the money you could, for example, put towards college costs for the kids. Setting up a retirement fund and an emergency fund is also possible when your housing costs are low.

Look at it this way; the median home cost in America is just under $292,000. In Jacksonville, NC, it’s $166,000! That’s nearly $120,000 less for the same amount of house, a life-changing amount for many families. Some, however, still rent small storage units in Jacksonville. (Even the biggest homes run out of space sometimes!)

Healthcare: Expensive

Healthcare is 23% higher than the national average.

One unfortunate fact about the cost of living in Jacksonville is that healthcare costs are relatively expensive here. With a score of 123/100, doctor visits, medication’s and other healthcare costs will set you back 23% more. That could be problematic for retirees and families with young children. Some better news is the healthcare services themselves, which are excellent. Jacksonville has several exceptional hospitals also, providing top-notch care.

Transportation: Affordable

Transportation costs 28% less living in Jacksonville.

Our final cost index today is transportation which, we’re glad to say, is also very affordable. A score of 72/100 means you’ll save nearly 30% on gasoline, car repairs, maintenance, road fees, taxes, etc. That’s a saving any family would love to see and one of the reasons Jacksonville is an affordable city.

What Is the Cost of Living in Jacksonville, NC?

Groceries: Average

Groceries cost 4% less than average in Jacksonville.

Everyone needs to eat high-quality, nutritious food, it’s true. In Jacksonville, that food will cost you 4% less than the average American pays. Is that considered excellent news that’s worthy of throwing a party? Probably not, but it’s undoubtedly better to save 4% than to spend 4% more, we think you’ll agree. One bit of good news about groceries here at the coast; seafood is easy to find, affordable, and very fresh.

Utilities: Average

Utilities are 2% lower than average living in Jacksonville.

Utilities are another cost in Jacksonville that, while not super affordable, or is still lower than the national average. Also, in this part of North Carolina, the weather is mostly mild. Winters are relatively short, and summers are relatively cool. In other words, you won’t be turning the heat up high or the air conditioning down low very often. By the way, Jacksonville barely gets any snow, although we do see our fair share of rain.

Miscellaneous Expenses: Expensive

Miscellaneous expenses are 4% higher than average.

Miscellaneous expenses are the only other index higher than the national average on our list today, thank goodness. With a score of 104/100, we’re only 4% higher than the national average for miscellaneous purchases like haircuts, clothes, etc. Yes, it could be even lower, it’s true. You could also be living in New York City, where the cost of miscellaneous expenses is about 75% higher. (Along with most of the other expenses too.)

Find Storage Units in Jacksonville, NC

Moving to Jacksonville, NC? We Can Help!

In the list of “Pros and Cons of Living in Jacksonville, NC” the cost of living is definitely a pro. There’s no denying that Jacksonville, NC, is an affordable place to live and work. Housing costs here are very reasonable, and there are only two indexes above the national average. (The most notable being healthcare, which does hurt our score somewhat.)

At SecurCare, we’ve helped a lot of folks (and a lot of brave US Marines) store their things safely and affordably. We recommend you reserve a storage unit in Jacksonville, NC, as early as possible if you’re on your way. When you arrive, it will be waiting for you to unload your things and start house hunting with confidence.

Questions? Please feel free to chat with us online anytime. Also, you can visit our self storage location in Jacksonville, NC, and meet the onsite manager. They’ll be pleased to show you some storage units and help you choose the one that fits your needs best. Until then, we wish you the very best of luck with your move to lovely Jacksonville, North Carolina! Also, if you’re moving here to go to Boot Camp, thank you for your service!


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1 thought on “The Cost of Living in Jacksonville, NC”

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