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City comparison

Jacksonville, FL vs Denver, CO

Safety is where Jacksonville and Denver split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 121 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 $1,831 in Denver.

This is a genuine split. Jacksonville wins on cost of living and safety and Denver 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.

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.

Full Jacksonville reportFull Denver report

Jacksonville, FL

Rent
$1,465/mo
Median income
69,872
Crime index
147
Weather
79°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

20% cheaper

Jacksonville rent is 20% cheaper than Denver

Jacksonville

Winner

$1,465/mo

Denver

$1,831/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,831 in Denver, so Jacksonville is 20% 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 $4,392, 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 Denver.

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Median income

36% higher

Denver's median income is 36% higher than Jacksonville

Jacksonville

$69,872

Denver

Winner

$94,718

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 36% higher in Denver (about $24,846 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, Denver 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

45% lower crime

Jacksonville's crime index is 45% lower than Denver

Jacksonville

Winner

147 (100 = avg)

Denver

268 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Jacksonville's crime index is 147 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

Neck and neck

Jacksonville and Denver are about even on typical weather.

Jacksonville

79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100

Denver

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver sits near 68°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

Who should choose Jacksonville

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 20% 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 45% lower than Denver (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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 36% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Bottom line

Jacksonville vs Denver: Our Take

Crime and safety tilt toward Jacksonville: Jacksonville scores 48/100 versus 30/100 in Denver, with typical rent at $1,465 versus $1,831. I would vet the exact ZIP in Denver before trading 18 safety points for housing savings.

Jacksonville rent at $1,465/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Typical rent stays $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,831 in Denver.

If safety drives your move, Jacksonville is the stronger match (48/100 safety versus 30/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Denver, treat $1,831/month rent and $94,718 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.

Common questions

Jacksonville vs Denver FAQ

Is Jacksonville cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Jacksonville is $1,465 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (20% cheaper). Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville compared with $94,718 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Jacksonville or Denver?
Jacksonville is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 147 versus 268 in Denver (45% 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 Denver?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Jacksonville. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Denver. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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