Panama Park vs University Park
Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-02.
| Metric | Panama Park | University Park |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $175K | $279K |
| Price per sq ft | $151 | $165 |
| Avg days on market | 72 days | 81 days |
| Months of supply | 5.3 mo | 2.3 mo |
| Market | Buyer-Leaning Market | Balanced Market |
| 1-year price change | -20% | -3% |
| Recent closings | 27 | 26 |
The verdict
University Park carries the higher median price — about 59% above Panama Park. Homes in Panama Park sell faster (72 days on market vs 81). University Park is the tighter market on inventory (2.3 months of supply).
Where each one is
Panama Park and University Park are about 3 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.
| Panama Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Duval County, FL | Duval County, FL |
| City / area | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| ZIP | 32208 | 32277 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 4 mi | 4 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 15 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) | 13 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | 96% of 24 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) | all 15 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
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
| Panama Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 12 | 5 |
| Under contract | 2 | 1 |
| Asking prices today | $110K to $275K | $324K to $750K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Panama Park homes for sale · University Park homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Panama Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 373 | 101 |
| Built | 1899–2024 (median 1944) | 1958–2019 (median 1961) |
| Typical living area | 1,247 sq ft | 1,960 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 42% | 70% |
| Vacant lots | 8 | 1 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Panama Park median | University Park median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $26K (7 sales) | $126K (23 sales) |
| 2013 | $26K (17 sales) | $113K (36 sales) |
| 2014 | $22K (24 sales) | $126K (38 sales) |
| 2015 | $22K (44 sales) | $137K (47 sales) |
| 2016 | $30K (28 sales) | $148K (46 sales) |
| 2017 | $90K (46 sales) | $185K (29 sales) |
| 2018 | $74K (40 sales) | $188K (39 sales) |
| 2019 | $80K (33 sales) | $210K (45 sales) |
| 2020 | $110K (39 sales) | $220K (49 sales) |
| 2021 | $122K (43 sales) | $275K (55 sales) |
| 2022 | $163K (53 sales) | $318K (35 sales) |
| 2023 | $174K (46 sales) | $310K (35 sales) |
| 2024 | $162K (37 sales) | $322K (23 sales) |
| 2025 | $145K (29 sales) | $349K (27 sales) |
| 2026 | $147K (27 sales) | $292K (26 sales) |
Since 2012, Panama Park's median sale price is +465% and University Park's is +131% — Panama Park has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Panama Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 87.9% | 97.8% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,156 sq ft | 1,825 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 34 (cold) | 46 (normal) |
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
| Panama Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | North Shore | Fort Caroline |
| Middle | Matthew Gilbert | Arlington |
| High school | Jean Ribault | Terry Parker |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Momentum Realty agents have closed 1 home in Panama Park and 0 in University Park (brokerage records, both sides counted once). Find an agent who works Panama Park · University Park.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Panama Park is the lower entry point (median $175K vs $279K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in University Park; Panama Park trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Panama Park (72 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 University Park more expensive than Panama Park?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in University Park is $279,000 versus $175,000 in Panama Park, about 59% higher.
How far apart are Panama Park and University Park?
About 3 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Panama Park or University Park?
University Park: its homes were built 1958–2019 with a median year of 1961, versus a median of 1944 in Panama Park (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
University Park. The typical home there is 1,960 sq ft of living area, versus 1,247 sq ft in Panama Park.
Which has appreciated more, Panama Park or University Park?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 465% in Panama Park and 131% in University Park (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
University Park — sellers there received 97.8% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 87.9% in Panama Park.
What high schools serve Panama Park and University Park?
Listings in Panama Park most often report Jean Ribault; listings in University Park report Terry Parker. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Panama Park homes, photos & schools · University Park homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.