City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Fresno split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 45 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 $1,421 in Fresno.
This is a genuine split. Jacksonville wins on safety and Fresno wins on cost of living and 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 crime gap is citywide. Jacksonville has rougher pockets and Fresno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Jacksonville and Fresno are 2,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $44 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $70,991 in Fresno, up $1,119 (2%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 195 in Fresno, up 45 points (30%).
The move
Fresno and Jacksonville are 2,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $44 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $1,119 (2%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 150 in Jacksonville, down 45 points (23%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Fresno rent is 3% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Fresno is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $44, or $528 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Fresno's median income is 2% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Fresno (about $1,119 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
23% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 23% lower than Fresno
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% 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. Fresno 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 Fresno are about even on typical weather.
Jacksonville
79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno
73°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Fresno averages about 73°F (83°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Fresno sits near 73°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 better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Fresno (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
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fresno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($70,991). Start with Fresno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Jacksonville leads on safety (48/100 vs 40/100 in Fresno). Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,421 in Fresno; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $44 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,421 in Fresno and $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is ahead on safety (48/100 vs 40/100); Fresno is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,421/month rent plus $70,991 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Fresno when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Fresno, plus other cities in FL and CA.
