Is Boston, MA or Jacksonville, FL cheaper on a $120,000 salary?

Jacksonville, FL leaves you more: $25,443/yr. On $120,000, Boston, MA leaves $47,327/yr in pocket (state tax $6,000, housing $37,093) vs Jacksonville, FL's $72,770 (state tax $0, housing $17,650).

The gap is driven mostly by state income tax (Massachusetts: 5% vs Florida: 0%) and housing.

WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Boston, MA vs Jacksonville, FL

Boston, MA vs Jacksonville, FL: cost of living on $120,000

Jacksonville, FL +$25,443/yr On $120,000, Boston, MA leaves $47,327/yr in pocket vs Jacksonville, FL's $72,770 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000	Boston, MA	Jacksonville, FL
Federal + FICA (est.)	$29,580	$29,580
State income tax	$6,000 (5%)	$0 (0%)
After-tax income	$84,420	$90,420
− Housing/yr (Zillow)	$37,093	$17,650
Real money in pocket	$47,327	$72,770

Verified 2026-06-23 · State tax: Tax Foundation, “State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025” + state revenue departments. Modeled as an effective planning rate for a typical $80k–$160k filer — not a full bracket engine. · Housing from Zillow ZHVI 2026-05.

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FAQ

Is Boston, MA or Jacksonville, FL cheaper?: On $120,000, Jacksonville, FL — by $25,443/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?: State income tax (Massachusetts 5% vs Florida 0%) and housing cost.

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