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City comparison

Houston, TX vs Jacksonville, FL

Safety is where Houston and Jacksonville split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 130 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,260 in Houston and $1,658 in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Houston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Jacksonville is the stronger move.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Houston at $1,260 average has pockets that run $1,060 and others at $1,660: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Houston reportFull Jacksonville report

Houston, TX

Rent
1,260/mo
Median income
60,440
Crime index
130
Schools
A-
Weather
90°F

Jacksonville, FL

Rent
1,658/mo
Median income
64,138
Crime index
0
Schools
A-
Weather
87°F

Rent

24% cheaper

Houston rent is 24% cheaper than Jacksonville

Houston

Winner

$1,260/mo

Jacksonville

$1,658/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,260 a month in Houston versus $1,658 in Jacksonville, so Houston is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $398/month back in your pocket ($4,776/year). Over five years that's $23,880 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Jacksonville, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Houston is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Planning to buy in Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

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Median income

6% higher

Jacksonville's median income is 6% higher than Houston

Houston

$60,440

Jacksonville

Winner

$64,138

What this means for your life

Median household income is $64,138 in Jacksonville versus $60,440 in Houston, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Jacksonville (about $3,698 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

100% lower crime

Jacksonville's crime index is 100% lower than Houston

Houston

130 (100 = avg)

Jacksonville

Winner

0 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Jacksonville's crime index is 0 versus 130 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 100% lower in Jacksonville. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Jacksonville is the easier city. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Houston and Jacksonville are about even on school scores.

Houston

A- · 84/100

Jacksonville

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Houston, A- in Jacksonville). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

27% more comfortable

Jacksonville weather is 27% more comfortable than Houston

Houston

90°F avg · 99°F highs · comfort 52/100

Jacksonville

Winner

87°F avg · 96°F highs · comfort 66/100

What this means for your life

Houston averages about 90°F (99°F highs); Jacksonville averages about 87°F (96°F highs). Houston runs very hot summers (highs near 99°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. Jacksonville runs very hot summers (highs near 96°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. Jacksonville scores 27% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Houston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Houston

People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Houston

Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,260 a month. Choose Houston if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Open the Houston report →

Fit check

Who should choose Jacksonville

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 6% higher ($64,138), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 87°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 100% lower than Houston (0 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Jacksonville report →

Bottom line

Houston vs Jacksonville: Our Take

Jacksonville wins overall on this comparison, taking 3 of the 5 categories against 1 for Houston.

Jacksonville's median household income is 6% higher ($64,138 vs $60,440), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The main trade-off: Houston's typical rent runs 24% lower than Jacksonville ($1,260/month vs $1,658/month), which is real money over a lease.

The decision comes down to whether you value the job market more than cost of living. For most middle-income movers, Jacksonville is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Houston vs Jacksonville FAQ

Is Houston cheaper than Jacksonville?
Yes. Typical rent in Houston is $1,260 a month versus $1,658 in Jacksonville (24% cheaper). Median household income is $60,440 in Houston compared with $64,138 in Jacksonville, so Jacksonville has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Houston or Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 0 versus 130 in Houston (100% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Houston or Jacksonville?
School composites are close: A- in Houston and A- in Jacksonville. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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