City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Jacksonville and Arlington are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,470 in Arlington, and median household income lands at $69,872 versus $75,171. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Jacksonville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Arlington is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Jacksonville and Arlington are 924 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $5 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $75,171 in Arlington, up $5,299 (8%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 132 in Arlington, down 18 points (12%).
The move
Arlington and Jacksonville are 924 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $5 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $5,299 (7%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 150 in Jacksonville, up 18 points (14%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 1% cheaper than Arlington
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Jacksonville is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $5, or $60 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Arlington's median income is 8% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Arlington (about $5,299 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
12% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 12% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Arlington. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Arlington, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Jacksonville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
2% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 2% more comfortable than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington scores 2% 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 Jacksonville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,465 a month. Choose Jacksonville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
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 8% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Jacksonville (132 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.
Bottom line
Jacksonville carries the heavier crime signal on this page (48/100 safety vs 52/100 in Arlington). That 4-point spread matters more than the $5 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $69,872 in Jacksonville — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Weather averages land near 73°F in Jacksonville and 67°F in Arlington.
Arlington clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Jacksonville deserves a serious look only when you already know the Jacksonville block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Arlington, plus other cities in FL and TX.
