Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 60.9% of median family income in Palm Beach County, FL and 63.0% in Duval County, FL. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Palm Beach County, FL vs Duval County, FL: Cost of Living Difference
Duval County, FL is cheaper than Palm Beach County, FL for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Duval County, FL is cheaper than Palm Beach County, FL.
Cheaper place
Duval County, FLSave about $7,901 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Duval County, FL is estimated to save $7,901 per year.
AnnualSave about $7,901 per year.
MonthlySave about $658 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Palm Beach County, FL is about $43,450 in Duval County, FL.
Biggest drivers
Transport increases by $417 per year. Housing saves $3,608 per year.
Palm Beach County, FL→Duval County, FL
Equivalent salary in Duval County, FL
$43,450
-13.1% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Palm Beach County, FL: $99,093
Median Income in Duval County, FL: $83,238
annual living index in Palm Beach County, FL 60.86%
annual living index in Duval County, FL 62.96%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Palm Beach County, FL to Duval County, FL.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Duval County, FL compared with Palm Beach County, FL.
| Category | Palm Beach County, FL | Duval County, FL | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $19,668 | $16,060 | -$3,608(-18.34%) | -$301 | Lower in Duval County, FL |
| Taxes | $10,516 | $8,415 | -$2,101(-19.98%) | -$175 | Lower in Duval County, FL |
| Other Costs | $7,640 | $6,326 | -$1,314(-17.2%) | -$110 | Lower in Duval County, FL |
| Healthcare | $6,132 | $5,460 | -$672(-10.96%) | -$56 | Lower in Duval County, FL |
| Food | $4,939 | $4,316 | -$623(-12.61%) | -$52 | Lower in Duval County, FL |
| Transport | $11,415 | $11,832 | +$417(3.65%) | +$35 | Higher in Duval County, FL |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Palm Beach County, FL and Duval County, FL, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $3,608 per year lower in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Duval County, FL changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $623 per year lower in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Duval County, FL can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $417 per year higher in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Duval County, FL.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $672 per year lower in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Duval County, FL changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $1,314 per year lower in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Duval County, FL help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Palm Beach County, FL and Duval County, FL, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Duval County, FL, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $2,101 per year lower in Duval County, FL than in Palm Beach County, FL. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Duval County, FL matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Palm Beach County, FL or Duval County, FL?
Duval County, FL is cheaper than Palm Beach County, FL by about $7,901 per year.
How much salary is needed in Duval County, FL?
A $50,000 salary in Palm Beach County, FL is modeled as roughly equivalent to $43,450 in Duval County, FL for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Palm Beach County, FL vs Duval County, FL comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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