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Should I Start a Restaurant in Jacksonville? (2026 Viability Score)

Restaurant viability in Jacksonville, FL — 66/100 (Good Fit). Scores four factors: startup cost, market size, business climate, and labor taxes.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026
Data current as of March 2026 Sources: SBA, BLS, Secretary of State filings, COLI data
66 / 100
Good Fit

Jacksonville is a good fit for a restaurant in 2026. The city scores well on multiple factors. First-year costs run approximately $292,416 — $133,440 upfront plus $13,248/month — adjusted for Jacksonville's cost-of-living index of 96.0 (4% below the US average).

Score Breakdown

9/25
Entry Cost
First-year startup cost adjusted for COL
$292,416 year one
15/25
Market Size
Population × spending power
949,611 residents
17/25
Business Climate
LLC fees + state income tax
$125 LLC filing fee · no income tax
25/25
Labor Costs
SUTA + workers' comp rates
SUTA 0.01% · WC 0.01%

Cost Snapshot for Jacksonville

Item Amount
One-time startup costs $133,440
Monthly operating costs $13,248/mo
First-year total $292,416
LLC filing fee (FL) $125
Employer SUTA rate (FL) 0.01%
Workers' comp rate (FL) 0.01%
Cost-of-living index 96.0 (US avg = 100)

All costs adjusted for Jacksonville's cost-of-living index. National averages used for worker cost rates.

How Jacksonville Compares

City Score
Jacksonville, FL (this city) 66
San Francisco, CA 63
Miami, FL 61
Austin, TX 60

Go Deeper

Can I Afford It?
Enter your savings and financing to see your funding gap for a restaurant in Jacksonville.
Profitability Calculator
Model monthly revenue, margins, and break-even for a restaurant in Jacksonville.
Full Cost Breakdown
Line-by-line startup cost breakdown for a restaurant in Jacksonville.
Form an LLC in FL
Step-by-step guide to registering your restaurant as an LLC in FL.

How the Viability Score Works

The score combines four data-driven dimensions, each worth up to 25 points. It measures conditions in Jacksonville, not your personal finances — a low score means the environment is harder, not that the business can't succeed.

1
Entry Cost (0–25)
First-year startup cost adjusted for Jacksonville's cost-of-living index. Lower cost markets score higher.
2
Market Size (0–25)
City population scaled by cost-of-living index (a proxy for consumer spending power). Larger, wealthier markets score higher.
3
Business Climate (0–25)
LLC filing fee, annual report fees, and whether the state has a personal income tax. Lower fees and no income tax score higher.
4
Labor Costs (0–25)
State SUTA (unemployment tax) rate and workers' compensation rate. Lower payroll tax burden scores higher.

Data sources: SBA.gov (LLC fees), BLS QCEW (SUTA rates), NCCI (workers' comp), COLI (cost-of-living). Updated 2026.

Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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