City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville and Richmond 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 $1,372 in Richmond, and median household income lands at $69,872 versus $64,587. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Richmond 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 Richmond are 554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $93 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $64,587 in Richmond, down $5,285 (8%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 169 in Richmond, up 19 points (13%).
The move
Richmond and Jacksonville are 554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $93 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $5,285 (8%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 150 in Jacksonville, down 19 points (11%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Richmond rent is 6% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Richmond is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $93, or $1,116 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
8% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 8% higher than Richmond
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Jacksonville (about $5,285 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
Jacksonville's crime index is 11% lower than Richmond
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% 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 Richmond. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
Jacksonville
Winner68°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Jacksonville averages about 68°F (74°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Jacksonville scores 28% 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 Richmond 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 8% higher ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°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 11% lower than Richmond (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 Richmond
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
On weather alone, Jacksonville is the warmer market (68°F) and Richmond the cooler (57°F). Typical leases run $1,465 and $1,372; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Richmond rent at $1,372/month is still below Jacksonville's $1,465, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $64,587 in Richmond.
Between Jacksonville and Richmond, Jacksonville is ahead on climate — 68°F typical weather versus 57°F. Lean Richmond instead when you would rather tolerate 57°F than optimize for Jacksonville's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Jacksonville when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Richmond, plus other cities in FL and VA.
