JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s a term we hear all the time — affordable housing — but what does that actually mean?
According to housing experts, “affordable” is defined as spending no more than 30% of your income on housing. In Jacksonville, where the median household income is $81,107 according to city data, that means monthly housing costs should not exceed $2,027 to be considered affordable.
But for many, that’s far from reality.
Data from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies shows the typical single-family home in Florida now costs around $400,000 — a 66% increase over the past 10 years, even after adjusting for inflation.
At the same time, more than 700,000 higher-cost rental units (over $1,200 per month) have entered the market, while nearly 300,000 low-cost rentals have vanished.
For low-income renters, those making less than 60% of the area’s median income, the situation is even worse.
Nearly 900,000 Floridians in this group are spending more than 40% of their income on housing. Some are spending more than half.
To better understand where people can afford to live, News4JAX teamed up with the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR), which tracks affordability county by county using something called the “affordability index.”
The index is based on a standard 30-year fixed loan with a 20% down payment and measures whether the median household income in a county is enough to afford the median-priced home.
An index score of 100 means a family earning the median income can just afford the median home. Scores above 100 indicate more affordability.
According to NEFAR’s data from April 2025, these are the 3 most affordable counties in Northeast Florida
- Putnam County
- Affordability Index: 107.5 (previous month: 111.5)
- Average home price: $242,495
- Palatka, the county seat, offers riverfront views, rural land, and a historic district — all at some of the lowest prices in the region.
- Baker County
- Affordability Index: 86 (previous month: 85.5)
- Average home price: $305,000
- Located west of Jacksonville, Baker offers more land, open space and a slower pace — attracting homebuyers seeking a more rural lifestyle.
- Duval County
- Affordability Index: 77 (previous month: 82)
- Average home price: $320,000
- Duval includes the city of Jacksonville and offers a wide range of housing — from historic neighborhoods like Springfield to HOA communities and new construction.
NEFAR President Mario Gonzales says both new builds and older neighborhoods have pros and cons when it comes to affordability. In some areas, older homes may be cheaper upfront, while new construction often comes with incentives like better financing.
“You can get similar homes in different parts of Jacksonville, but the price can vary drastically depending on location,” Gonzales said.
When News4JAX hit the streets to ask residents what they considered “affordable,” answers ranged from $100,000 to $500,000 — reflecting just how personal and varied housing needs are.
“Even with my income, I probably couldn’t afford anything over $100,000,” one woman told us.
Another man added, “If you want an affordable home, don’t come to Florida.”
Addressing Affordability continues weekly on News4JAX, and we’ll be taking a closer look at where families are finding the most affordable housing options and what’s being done to address the growing cost burden.
Want to know how your neighborhood stacks up? Explore the interactive map below to see what homes are selling for in your area.
