Rental property in Jacksonville, FL
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
6.2%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$300,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Per month
Population
949,611
+1.3% / yr (5y avg)
Estimates based on median market data. Actual returns depend on your specific property. Source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau, 2026-Q1.
Calculate your rental yield in Jacksonville
Pre-filled with Jacksonville's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
6.20%
Net Rental Yield
4.09%
Cap Rate
4.09%
Monthly Cash Flow
$1,022.50
Annual Cash Flow
$12,270.00
Jacksonville rental market at a glance
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Jacksonville's rental market presents a compelling opportunity for yield-focused investors, with a 6.2% gross rental yield significantly outpacing national averages and reflecting strong rental demand relative to purchase prices. The market is being driven by the city's status as a major military hub (Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville) and corporate headquarters including TIAA, Fidelity, and CSX Corporation, which provide stable employment anchors and tenant demand. The relatively modest 1.3% population growth rate, while lower than Sun Belt peers, actually indicates a mature, stabilizing market less prone to boom-bust cycles, with the 5.9% vacancy rate suggesting healthy equilibrium rather than oversupply.
Demand drivers remain resilient across multiple segments: the military presence ensures consistent, credit-worthy renters; the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University create student housing demand; and the city's geographic advantages as a deepwater port and logistics hub continue attracting corporate relocation. The median home price of $300,000 positions Jacksonville as an affordable entry point compared to Tampa, Miami, or Orlando, making it accessible for both individual and institutional investors seeking cash flow-positive acquisitions without substantial capital requirements.
The forward outlook depends critically on infrastructure investment and business retention. The planned improvements to the Port of Jacksonville and ongoing riverfront development projects could catalyze neighborhood appreciation, while potential military base realignments represent an existential risk to demand stability. Smart investors should focus on properties within 3-5 miles of major employment centers or military installations, as geographic specificity will determine long-term tenant quality and rent growth trajectories in this geographically large metropolitan area.
What type of investment market is Jacksonville?
Jacksonville offers the best of both worlds — above-average rental yields combined with strong population growth. These market conditions support both current cash flow and long-term appreciation potential.
✓ Strengths
- •Exceptional 6.2% gross rental yield provides immediate cash flow with lower capital requirements than comparable Sun Belt markets
- •Diversified employment base centered on military, Fortune 500 headquarters (TIAA, Fidelity), and port/logistics industries reduces single-industry economic risk
- •Affordable median price point ($300,000) relative to rental income enables positive leverage and multiple-property portfolio building for individual investors
- •5.9% vacancy rate indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics with room for rent growth without destabilizing oversupply conditions
! Risks
- •Military base dependency creates systemic vulnerability to Pentagon realignments or budget cuts that could devastate rental demand in affected submarkets
- •Modest 1.3% population growth significantly trails competitive markets (Tampa 2.1%, Austin 2.8%), limiting organic demand expansion and long-term appreciation potential
- •Geographic sprawl across 747 square miles means property performance highly sensitive to submarket selection; location mistakes carry disproportionate consequences for investor returns
- •Hurricane exposure and rising flood insurance costs in coastal/near-coastal areas could compress yields and reduce tenant affordability in vulnerable zip codes
Key Metrics
How does Jacksonville compare to nearby cities?
Jacksonville vs Tampa: 0.4 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL | $350,000 | $1,700 | 5.8% | +1.5% |
| Orlando, FL | $320,000 | $1,650 | 6.2% | +1.7% |
| Charlotte, NC | $370,000 | $1,700 | 5.5% | +1.4% |
| Miami, FL | $580,000 | $2,500 | 5.2% | +0.8% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $480,000 | $2,200 | 5.5% | +1% |
Investor Takeaway
Jacksonville suits yield-focused investors seeking 6%+ cash-on-cash returns with moderate appreciation upside, particularly those comfortable with slower population growth in exchange for stable, military-anchored demand. The optimal strategy involves acquiring 2-3 properties in established neighborhoods within 5 miles of military installations or corporate campuses, financing at 60-65% LTV to maximize cash flow while maintaining reserves for the 5.9% vacancy cycles. However, investors must conduct rigorous submarket analysis before purchasing—the city's vast geography means that a property 10 miles outside the primary employment corridors could face meaningfully different tenant quality and rent trajectory; verify recent military retention plans and corporate hiring trends for your specific target area before committing capital.
Common questions about investing in Jacksonville
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