Apex, NC vs Jacksonville, NC

The cost of living difference between Apex, NC and Jacksonville, NC is dramatic. Jacksonville is 51.5% cheaper than Apex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Apex has a cost index of 131 while Jacksonville sits at 86, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Apex is $1,784/month compared to $1,268/month in Jacksonville — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jacksonville is more affordable at $191,700 median vs $514,800.

Median household income in Apex is $138,442 compared to $54,069 in Jacksonville (+156%). While Apex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Apex spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 28.1% in Jacksonville.