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City comparison

Jacksonville, FL vs Austin, TX

Safety is where Jacksonville and Austin split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 117 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,658 in Jacksonville and $1,852 in Austin.

This is a genuine split. Jacksonville wins on cost of living, safety, and weather and Austin wins on the job market and schools. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.

The crime gap is citywide. Jacksonville has rougher pockets and Austin has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.

Full Jacksonville reportFull Austin report

Jacksonville, FL

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

Austin, TX

Rent
1,852/mo
Median income
86,556
Crime index
117
Schools
A
Weather
92°F

Rent

10% cheaper

Jacksonville rent is 10% cheaper than Austin

Jacksonville

Winner

$1,658/mo

Austin

$1,852/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,658 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,852 in Austin, so Jacksonville is 10% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,328, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Jacksonville still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Austin.

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Median income

35% higher

Austin's median income is 35% higher than Jacksonville

Jacksonville

$64,138

Austin

Winner

$86,556

What this means for your life

Median household income is $86,556 in Austin versus $64,138 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Austin (about $22,418 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Jacksonville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

100% lower crime

Jacksonville's crime index is 100% lower than Austin

Jacksonville

Winner

0 (100 = avg)

Austin

117 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Jacksonville's crime index is 0 versus 117 in Austin (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. Austin can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

5% higher scores

Austin's school scores are 5% higher than Jacksonville

Jacksonville

A- · 84/100

Austin

Winner

A · 88/100

What this means for your life

Austin grades out at A (88/100) against A- (84/100) in Jacksonville. School scores run 5% higher in Austin. The citywide gap is modest. For families with kids it is still worth checking the specific campuses you would actually use, because a small composite lead can disappear (or reverse) two neighborhoods over. Jacksonville is only the better school story if a campus you already researched beats this composite.

Typical weather

74% more comfortable

Jacksonville weather is 74% more comfortable than Austin

Jacksonville

Winner

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

Austin

92°F avg · 104°F highs · comfort 38/100

What this means for your life

Jacksonville averages about 87°F (96°F highs); Austin averages about 92°F (104°F highs). Jacksonville runs very hot summers (highs near 96°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. Austin often hits 104°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Jacksonville scores 74% 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 Austin 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 Jacksonville

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 10% cheaper here at about $1,658 a month. Choose Jacksonville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (87°F) beat Austin on this page's weather index by 74%. Austin may pay more or cost less, but Jacksonville is the city where the forecast fights you less.

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 Austin (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 →

Fit check

Who should choose Austin

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($86,556). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Parents (or anyone planning kids in the next few years) should weight Austin first. School scores run 5% higher (A vs A-). Jacksonville only wins the school argument if you already have a specific campus in mind that beats this composite.

Open the Austin report →

Bottom line

Jacksonville vs Austin: Our Take

Jacksonville wins overall, but the margin is thinner than the category headlines suggest (3 wins to 2).

Jacksonville's typical rent runs 10% lower than Austin ($1,658/month vs $1,852/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Austin's median household income is 35% higher ($86,556 vs $64,138), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

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

Common questions

Jacksonville vs Austin FAQ

Is Jacksonville cheaper than Austin?
Yes. Typical rent in Jacksonville is $1,658 a month versus $1,852 in Austin (10% cheaper). Median household income is $64,138 in Jacksonville compared with $86,556 in Austin, so Austin has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Jacksonville or Austin?
Jacksonville is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 0 versus 117 in Austin (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, Jacksonville or Austin?
Austin has better schools on this comparison: A (88/100) versus A- in Jacksonville. School scores run 5% higher. District averages can hide campus-level gaps, so check the zoned elementary, middle, and high school you would actually use.

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