Garden City vs Oceanway

Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-20.

MetricGarden CityOceanway
Median sale price$247K$254K
Price per sq ft$184$184
Avg days on market121 days122 days
Months of supply12.0 mo9.0 mo
MarketBuyer's MarketBuyer's Market
1-year price change+0%-1%
Recent closings1212

The verdict

Oceanway carries the higher median price — about 3% above Garden City. Homes in Garden City sell faster (121 days on market vs 122). Oceanway is the tighter market on inventory (9.0 months of supply).

Where each one is

Garden City and Oceanway are about 5 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.

Garden CityOceanway
CountyDuval County, FLDuval County, FL
City / areaJacksonvilleJacksonville
ZIP3221832218
Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville8 mi10 mi
Nearest Atlantic beach17 mi, Amelia Island (south end)12 mi, Amelia Island (south end)
FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels)all 23 sampled homes outside a flood zone95% of 22 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X)

Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.

What is for sale today

Garden CityOceanway
Homes for sale now129
Under contract24
Asking prices today$190K to $800K$175K to $3.7M
Listed in the last 7 days71
Property types listedSingle Family ResidenceSingle Family Residence

Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Garden City homes for sale · Oceanway homes for sale.

The homes themselves

Garden CityOceanway
Homes (parcels)8264
Built1936–2024 (median 1989)1920–2019 (median 1989)
Typical living area1,348 sq ft1,406 sq ft
Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share39%42%
Vacant lots183

Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).

Price history, year by year

YearGarden City medianOceanway median
2012$40K (6 sales)$48K (8 sales)
2014$51K (3 sales)$41K (12 sales)
2015$117K (8 sales)$120K (12 sales)
2016$37K (10 sales)$100K (11 sales)
2017$89K (9 sales)$123K (17 sales)
2018$102K (16 sales)$154K (18 sales)
2019$114K (14 sales)$165K (17 sales)
2020$156K (12 sales)$172K (13 sales)
2021$160K (17 sales)$172K (12 sales)
2022$232K (18 sales)$250K (25 sales)
2023$230K (25 sales)$195K (7 sales)
2024$240K (32 sales)$210K (10 sales)
2025$249K (19 sales)$198K (6 sales)
2026$240K (33 sales)$250K (7 sales)

Since 2012, Garden City's median sale price is +496% and Oceanway's is +415% — Garden City has appreciated faster over that stretch.

How each one trades

Garden CityOceanway
Sale-to-original-list98.0%99.4%
New-construction share of sales52%0%
Typical sold home1,209 sq ft1,382 sq ft
Momentum market-heat score50 (normal)74 (hot)

Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.

Schools the listings are zoned for

Garden CityOceanway
ElementaryHighlandsOceanway
MiddleOceanwayOceanway
High schoolFirst CoastFirst Coast

The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.

Which one fits

On budget alone, Garden City is the lower entry point (median $247K vs $254K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Oceanway; Garden City trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Garden City (121 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.

Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.

Questions people ask

Is Oceanway more expensive than Garden City?

Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Oceanway is $254,000 versus $247,000 in Garden City, about 3% higher.

How far apart are Garden City and Oceanway?

About 5 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.

Which has newer homes, Garden City or Oceanway?

Oceanway: its homes were built 1920–2019 with a median year of 1989, versus a median of 1989 in Garden City (Florida DOR assessment roll).

Which has appreciated more, Garden City or Oceanway?

From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 496% in Garden City and 415% in Oceanway (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).

Where do sellers get closer to asking price?

Oceanway — sellers there received 99.4% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 98.0% in Garden City.

What high schools serve Garden City and Oceanway?

Listings in Garden City most often report First Coast; listings in Oceanway report First Coast. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.

Go deeper on each: Garden City homes, photos & schools  ·  Oceanway homes, photos & schools

Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.