Florida’s largest cities compete for residents, businesses, investment and economic growth—but they don’t necessarily govern, spend or deliver services the same way.

Florida Cities Head-to-Head compares Jacksonville with Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale using measurable government data rather than simply comparing headline budget totals. Because Jacksonville operates as a consolidated city-county government, each installment works to identify comparable functions and provide the context necessary to understand what the numbers actually mean.

The series examines budgets and spending, staffing, development incentives, infrastructure, parks and public services, government transparency and measurable results. Where possible, we compare spending per resident, employees per 1,000 residents, the share of comparable government spending devoted to specific functions, and changes over time.

Each article below focuses on a different question. Together, they are intended to build a broader picture of how Jacksonville operates compared with other major Florida cities—and what taxpayers receive in return.

Explore the series below. Select any story to see the data, methodology and city-by-city comparison.

Part IV — Florida Public Transportation: How Cities, Counties and the State Organize Transit

Florida’s metropolitan areas pursue shared transportation goals through different combinations of public authorities, county departments and regional partnerships. Explore how Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale organize transit, share funding and assign responsibility—and why measuring impact, accountability and return on investment remains difficult.

Part III — Florida Police Spending: Budgets, Staffing and Public Safety Compared

Police budgets represent major taxpayer commitments, but headline totals reveal only part of the picture. Explore spending, staffing and service responsibilities across Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale—and why population, tourism, pensions and city-county boundaries complicate comparisons of what residents receive.

Part II — Florida Public Records: How Five Cities Organize Access and Transparency

Florida guarantees public access to government records, but cities organize that access differently. Explore how Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale receive and manage requests, where communications offices enter the process, and why those arrangements matter for journalists and residents seeking answers.

Part I — Florida Development Incentives: What Do Taxpayers Receive in Return?

The opening installment compares how Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale exchange public incentives for development commitments. Explore how grants, tax rebates and additional development rights support housing, infrastructure and redevelopment—and what cities require developers to deliver in return.

Jacksonville’s Boomtown Growth Compared With Tampa, Orlando and Miami

Florida’s major metropolitan areas are growing in different ways, with different consequences for residents. Explore how Jacksonville compares with Tampa, Orlando and Miami in population, housing, earnings and economic activity—and why boomtown rankings do not necessarily translate into affordability or shared prosperity.