City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Jacksonville and Gilbert is significant: $69,872 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Jacksonville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
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 Gilbert are 1,775 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $645 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $52,679 (75%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 47 in Gilbert, down 103 points (69%).
The move
Gilbert and Jacksonville are 1,775 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $645 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $52,679 (43%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 150 in Jacksonville, up 103 points (219%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 31% cheaper than Gilbert
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Jacksonville is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $645/month back in your pocket ($7,740/year). Over five years that's $38,700 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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
75% higher
Gilbert's median income is 75% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 75% higher in Gilbert (about $52,679 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, Gilbert 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
69% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 69% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert is the easier city. Jacksonville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
2% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 2% more comfortable than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 2% 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 Jacksonville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% 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.
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 75% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 69% lower than Jacksonville (47 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 48/100 in Jacksonville, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,465. I would vet the exact ZIP in Jacksonville before trading 35 safety points for housing savings.
Jacksonville rent at $1,465/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,465 in Jacksonville and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Jacksonville deserves a serious look only when you already know the Jacksonville block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Gilbert?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Gilbert when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Gilbert, plus other cities in FL and AZ.
