City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The income gap between Jacksonville and Raleigh is significant: $69,872 median household versus $85,395. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,572 in Raleigh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Jacksonville costs less and Raleigh pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Jacksonville and Raleigh are 414 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $107 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $15,523 (22%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 142 in Raleigh, down 8 points (5%).
The move
Raleigh and Jacksonville are 414 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $107 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $15,523 (18%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 150 in Jacksonville, up 8 points (6%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 7% cheaper than Raleigh
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Jacksonville is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $107, or $1,284 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 Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
Raleigh's median income is 22% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Raleigh (about $15,523 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, Raleigh 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
5% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 5% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, 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
16% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Jacksonville
Winner68°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Jacksonville averages about 68°F (74°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Jacksonville scores 16% 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 Raleigh 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
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% 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.
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh 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
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 22% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Jacksonville (142 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 is cheaper on rent ($1,465/month vs $1,572), but Raleigh's $85,395 median income beats Jacksonville's $69,872 by 18%. Remote workers paid on Raleigh scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
With only $107 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Jacksonville and 49/100 in Raleigh.
Raleigh leads on local pay ($85,395 median income vs $69,872), even though rent runs $1,572 versus $1,465 — skip Raleigh only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Jacksonville when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Raleigh, plus other cities in FL and NC.
