City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 209 in Louisville, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Louisville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,120 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Louisville split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 59 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 $1,120 in Louisville.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Louisville 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. Louisville at $1,120 average has pockets that run $920 and others at $1,520: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Louisville are 595 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,120 a month in Louisville, down $345 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $66,849 in Louisville, down $3,023 (4%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 209 in Louisville, up 59 points (39%).
The move
Louisville and Jacksonville are 595 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $345 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $3,023 (5%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 150 in Jacksonville, down 59 points (28%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Louisville, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Louisville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Louisville rent is 24% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Louisville
Winner$1,120/mo
Typical rent runs $1,120 a month in Louisville versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Louisville is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $345/month back in your pocket ($4,140/year). Over five years that's $20,700 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 Jacksonville, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Louisville 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
5% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 5% higher than Louisville
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Louisville
$66,849
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Jacksonville (about $3,023 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
28% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 28% lower than Louisville
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Louisville
209 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 209 in Louisville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% 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. Louisville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 6% more comfortable than Louisville
Jacksonville
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Louisville
63°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 94/100
Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Louisville averages about 63°F (71°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Louisville averages around 63°F. Jacksonville scores 6% 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 Louisville 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 5% higher ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 79°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 28% lower than Louisville (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 Louisville
Louisville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,120 a month. Choose Louisville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Louisville at $1,120/month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville ($345 apart). Jacksonville median income is $69,872 against $66,849 in Louisville, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (48/100 in Jacksonville vs 38/100 in Louisville), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 79°F in Jacksonville and 63°F in Louisville.
Louisville clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Jacksonville deserves a serious look only when your $69,872 income offer in Jacksonville outweighs saving $345/month in Louisville.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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