City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 183 in San Francisco, 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 $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between Jacksonville and San Francisco is significant: $69,872 median household versus $140,970. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $2,476 in San Francisco.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. San Francisco 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. Jacksonville at $1,465 average has pockets that run $1,265 and others at $1,865: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and San Francisco are 2,370 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,011 a month (69%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $71,098 (102%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 183 in San Francisco, up 33 points (22%).
The move
San Francisco and Jacksonville are 2,370 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $1,011 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $71,098 (50%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 150 in Jacksonville, down 33 points (18%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
41% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 41% cheaper than San Francisco
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Jacksonville is 41% cheaper. That's roughly $1,011/month back in your pocket ($12,132/year). Over five years that's $60,660 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 San Francisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Jacksonville 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
102% higher
San Francisco's median income is 102% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 102% higher in San Francisco (about $71,098 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, San Francisco 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
18% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 18% lower than San Francisco
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 18% 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. San Francisco 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 San Francisco
Jacksonville
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco
63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs); San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 41% 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 (79°F) beat San Francisco on this page's weather index by 6%. San Francisco 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 18% lower than San Francisco (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
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 102% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
San Francisco posts $140,970 median household income against $69,872 in Jacksonville. That 50% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,465 in Jacksonville and $2,476 in San Francisco.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $69,872), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Weather averages land near 79°F in Jacksonville and 63°F in San Francisco.
San Francisco leads on local pay ($140,970 median income vs $69,872), even though rent runs $2,476 versus $1,465 — skip San Francisco only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and San Francisco, plus other cities in FL and CA.
