City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville and Huntsville are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,171 in Huntsville, and median household income lands at $69,872 versus $74,714. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Huntsville is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety 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 Huntsville is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Huntsville are 418 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $294 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $74,714 in Huntsville, up $4,842 (7%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 134 in Huntsville, down 16 points (11%).
The move
Huntsville and Jacksonville are 418 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $294 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $4,842 (6%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 150 in Jacksonville, up 16 points (12%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 20% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Huntsville 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 $3,528, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Huntsville still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Jacksonville.
Planning to buy in Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Huntsville's median income is 7% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Huntsville
Winner$74,714
Median household income is $74,714 in Huntsville versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Huntsville (about $4,842 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
11% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 11% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Huntsville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Huntsville, 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
4% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 4% more comfortable than Huntsville
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Jacksonville scores 4% 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 Huntsville 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
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Huntsville on this page's weather index by 4%. Huntsville 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
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Huntsville is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($74,714). Start with Huntsville if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Huntsville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Jacksonville (134 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
Jacksonville runs $1,465/month while Huntsville sits at $1,171 — roughly 20% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Jacksonville-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Median income is $74,714 in Huntsville versus $69,872 in Jacksonville.
Huntsville is the default on housing cost at $1,171/month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville; Jacksonville stays in play when $69,872 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $294 lease gap.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Jacksonville and 51/100 in Huntsville.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Huntsville, plus other cities in FL and AL.
