City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Jacksonville and Austin is significant: $69,872 median household versus $93,658. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,729 in Austin.
This is a genuine split. Jacksonville wins on cost of living and safety and Austin wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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 Austin are 959 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $264 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $93,658 in Austin, up $23,786 (34%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 162 in Austin, up 12 points (8%).
The move
Austin and Jacksonville are 959 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $264 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $23,786 (25%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 150 in Jacksonville, down 12 points (7%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
15% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 15% cheaper than Austin
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Austin
$1,729/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,729 in Austin, so Jacksonville is 15% 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 $3,168, 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.
Planning to buy in Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
34% higher
Austin's median income is 34% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Austin
Winner$93,658
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 34% higher in Austin (about $23,786 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
7% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 7% lower than Austin
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% lower in Jacksonville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Jacksonville, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Austin. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Jacksonville and Austin are about even on typical weather.
Jacksonville
79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin
76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 15% 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.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 7% lower than Austin (150 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.
Fit check
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 34% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Austin at $93,658 median income versus $69,872 in Jacksonville. Housing ($1,465 in Jacksonville, $1,729 in Austin) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $69,872), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Jacksonville and 45/100 in Austin.
Pick Austin when your field pays toward $93,658 median income. Otherwise, Jacksonville's case rests on a $1,465 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Jacksonville when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Austin, plus other cities in FL and TX.
