Rent to own Homes in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville's European history dates back to 1562 when the French built Fort Caroline along the St. Johns River, where the city is currently located. Three short years later, the Spanish destroyed the fort and rebuilt Fort San Mateo in its place. They maintained control of most of Florida and several other states by fortifying it with soldiers because they considered it a strategic area. Approximately 200 years later, they handed it over to the British, who relinquished their rights to the region and returned it to the Spanish. Florida finally came under U.S. control in 1821, and a year later, Jacksonville was established as a town.
Over the years, Jacksonville - also known as Jax - was a winter destination for people trying to escape the colder weather in the north. Many people decided to stick around and lay their roots in the city. Jacksonville now has 911,507 residents and encompasses an area of 747 square miles. It is the most populous city in Florida and the fifth-largest city by area in the U.S. The city has an excellent economy with a mix of companies ranging from small businesses to corporate giants. Wallet Hub ranked Jax as the best place to start a new business in 2014.
Jacksonville, FL is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $55,531 and a median rent of $1,089, the Jacksonville, FL rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Jacksonville, FL. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
More Jacksonville, FL Property Resources
Rent to own Homes in Cities Near Jacksonville, FL
- Asbury Lake
- Atlantic Beach
- Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace
- Bryceville
- Callahan
- Fernandina Beach
- Fleming Island
- Fruit Cove
- Green Cove Springs
- Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Beach
- Lakeside
- Nassau Village-Ratliff
- Neptune Beach
- Nocatee
- Oakleaf Plantation
- Orange Park
- Palm Valley
- Ponte Vedra
- Ponte Vedra Beach
- Saint Johns
- Sawgrass
- St. Marys
- World Golf Village
- Yulee
Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL
Fairfield rent to own homes 29th & Chase rent to own homes 45th & Moncrief rent to own homes Alderman Park rent to own homes Allendale rent to own homes Arlington rent to own homes Arlington Hills rent to own homes Arlington Manor rent to own homes Arlingwood rent to own homes Atlantic Boulevard Estates rent to own homesBuying a Home in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville, FL is seeing rapid growth and Jacksonville, FL's' housing market remains optimal with an average home price that is -14% below the 2025 national average. Jacksonville, FL is part of Duval county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2025 for county Duval is 0.85% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Median Home Price in Jacksonville, FL
Median Rent in Jacksonville, FL
Average Cost of Living in Jacksonville
Common sense dictates that living in Jacksonville is expensive. Surprisingly, the city's cost of living is actually 6.5% lower than the national average and 9.3% lower than Florida's average. Municipalities in the area are all more expensive. Orange Park, Lakeside, and Fruit Cove are 2.7% to 22% higher than Jax. Jacksonville is unusually affordable for such a developed, major city in a warm climate along the water.
Average Home Prices in Jacksonville
Buying a house in a hot spot like Jacksonville should come with a hefty price tag, but fortunately, it doesn't. Florida's median home cost is $237,100 - $6,100 more than the U.S. average of $231,200. In Jacksonville, you'll pay $180,300, which is nearly $47,000 less. There aren't any cities with lower housing prices in the area. Orange Park homes cost an average of $194,400, houses in Lakeside go for $205,600, and the median cost in Fruit Cove is $330,100. It's amazing that a city like Jax has such an inexpensive real estate market. All the more reason to choose Jacksonville if you're looking for a rent-to-own home.
Jacksonville Statistics
If you're interested in Jacksonville rent-to-own homes, don't forget to consider important factors in addition to monthly living costs, such as average commute, taxes, crime rates, etc. The following are some common Jacksonville statistics compared to the U.S. national average.
| Jacksonville Averages | National Averages | |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Commute | 24.6 minutes | 26.4 minutes |
| Violent Crime | 33.9 | 22.7 |
| Property Crime | 52.9 | 35.4 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 3.9% |
| Income Tax Rate | 0% | 4.6% |
| Air Quality | 54 | 58 |
| Water Quality | 25 | 55 |
| Median Household Income | $46,768 | $53,482 |
| Median Property Taxes | $1,750 | $2,200 |
| Utilities | $140/month | $112/month |
| Monthly Rent | $1,000 | $1,470 |
| Median Home Cost | $180,300 | $231,200 |
| Median Home Age | 34 years | 40 years |
Popular Amenities and Attractions in Jacksonville
Just because Jax has so much going on, that doesn't mean that it's all business and no play. You can have fun on its 22 miles of beaches, where you can go surfing, scuba diving, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. For a little adventure, take a ferry ride to its offshore islands where you'll find open space, preserved land, parks, and - more beaches! The St. Johns River is unique. It runs into the Atlantic Ocean, so it's mixed with seawater. If you watch long enough, you'll see sharks, dolphins, and manatees roaming the waters. When you dry off and head for land, enjoy the fresh seafood dining, boutique shops, and waterfront parks.
Jacksonville looks like an ordinary, modern city, but in truth, it has a long history. The Beaches Museum tells the story of settlement in the area dating back thousands of years. You can learn how the city and its surrounding towns developed into what you see today through a series of rotating and permanent exhibits. History Park has several old structures you can check out, including a railway foreman's house from 1900 and a post office built in 1903, among others. You'll also find a railway depot from approximately 1900 and a 1911 train engine.
The city has an amazing downtown located along the St. Johns River. The area has plenty of shops, museums, eateries, and parks. At night, you can hang out at one of its bars, enjoy a meal with a friend, or relax and enjoy the water views. Jax is really an enjoyable city with so much to do, plenty of jobs, and lots of friendly people. When you're ready for your next move, check out some of the rent-to-own homes in Jacksonville.
People who move to Jacksonville enjoy an affordable life along the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, warm weather, and a city with various neighborhoods and housing types. You can join the people of Jax by buying your next rent-to-own home in Jacksonville.