City comparison
No. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Jacksonville and Boston is significant: $69,872 median household versus $97,344. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $2,147 in Boston.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Jacksonville costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Jacksonville at $1,465 average has pockets that run $1,265 and others at $1,865: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Boston are 1,017 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $682 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $97,344 in Boston, up $27,472 (39%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 147 in Boston, down 3 points (2%).
The move
Boston and Jacksonville are 1,017 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $682 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $27,472 (28%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 150 in Jacksonville, up 3 points (2%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Boston? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 32% cheaper than Boston
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Boston
$2,147/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $2,147 in Boston, so Jacksonville is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $682/month back in your pocket ($8,184/year). Over five years that's $40,920 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 Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Jacksonville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
39% higher
Boston's median income is 39% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Boston
Winner$97,344
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Boston (about $27,472 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, Boston 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
2% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 2% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Boston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Boston, 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
39% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 39% more comfortable than Boston
Jacksonville
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boston
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Boston averages about 55°F (61°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boston averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Jacksonville scores 39% 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 Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
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 32% 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.
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (79°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 39%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Jacksonville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 39% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Jacksonville (147 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
On weather alone, Jacksonville is the warmer market (79°F) and Boston the cooler (55°F). Typical leases run $1,465 and $2,147; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Boston still pays more locally ($97,344 median income vs $69,872), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boston rates.
Median income is $97,344 in Boston versus $69,872 in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville wins on climate (79°F vs 55°F); Boston is the better fit if $2,147 rent and $97,344 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Boston, plus other cities in FL and MA.
