City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Cleveland split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 191 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland 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. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Cleveland are 772 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $405 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $5,404 (8%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 341 in Cleveland, up 191 points (127%).
The move
Cleveland and Jacksonville are 772 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $405 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $5,404 (8%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 150 in Jacksonville, down 191 points (56%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 28% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Cleveland is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $405/month back in your pocket ($4,860/year). Over five years that's $24,300 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, Cleveland 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
8% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 8% higher than Cleveland
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Jacksonville (about $5,404 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
56% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 56% lower than Cleveland
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 56% 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. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
48% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 48% more comfortable than Cleveland
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Jacksonville scores 48% 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 Cleveland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°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 56% lower than Cleveland (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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Jacksonville leads on safety (48/100 vs 23/100 in Cleveland). Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,060 in Cleveland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Jacksonville still pays more locally ($69,872 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Jacksonville rates.
Weather averages land near 73°F in Jacksonville and 53°F in Cleveland.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Jacksonville; Cleveland only makes sense when you have walked the Cleveland ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,060 rent.
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 Cleveland, plus other cities in FL and OH.
