City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
The income gap between Jacksonville and Reno is significant: $69,872 median household versus $80,760. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,556 in Reno.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Reno 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.
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 Reno are 2,235 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $91 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $80,760 in Reno, up $10,888 (16%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 151 in Reno, up 1 points (1%).
The move
Reno and Jacksonville are 2,235 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $91 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $10,888 (13%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 150 in Jacksonville, down 1 points (1%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 6% cheaper than Reno
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,556 in Reno, so Jacksonville is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $91, or $1,092 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
16% higher
Reno's median income is 16% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Reno (about $10,888 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, Reno 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
1% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 1% lower than Reno
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Jacksonville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Jacksonville, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Reno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Jacksonville
Winner68°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Jacksonville averages about 68°F (74°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Jacksonville scores 9% 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 Reno 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 6% 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 Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Jacksonville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Reno (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
Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Reno at $80,760 median income versus $69,872 in Jacksonville. Housing ($1,465 in Jacksonville, $1,556 in Reno) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
With only $91 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,556 in Reno.
Pick Reno when your field pays toward $80,760 median income. Otherwise, Jacksonville's case rests on a $1,465 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
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 Reno, plus other cities in FL and NV.
