The analysis compared estimated upfront costs to move into a rental with local median renter income. In Jacksonville, getting into a one-bedroom unit costs nearly $4,500 on average — about $475 more than the average monthly income for a renter, the report found. Its ranking put Jacksonville ahead of Las Vegas, Nashville and Dallas in financial stress; on the same scale, the city was only slightly less costly than San Francisco.

The estimate highlights the gap between a city’s ongoing rent and the cash renters may need before they can settle in. Move-in expenses can include deposits and other upfront charges, though the analysis summary did not break down Jacksonville’s estimate by expense.

Lisa Barton, a Keller Williams Realty broker associate who has worked in real estate for nearly two decades, said newcomers can be surprised by the cost of relocating to Jacksonville. Some assume moving to the South will be inexpensive, she said, then discover the region is not as affordable as expected.

Barton said Jacksonville is still cheaper than many large cities and South Florida. She put local average rent at about $1,600 a month, or 16% below the average, and said rents have stabilized after rising sharply during the COVID-19 period. Those figures reflect her assessment, while the ranking uses its own comparison of moving costs and renter income.

The study measures the upfront financial hurdle of moving, not the full cost of living or housing affordability over time. Its findings nevertheless point to a substantial cash barrier for renters considering a move to a growing city, even when monthly rents may compare favorably with those elsewhere.