City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Jacksonville and St Paul. Jacksonville averages 73°F while St Paul averages 50°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,465 versus $1,281.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul is the easier city on typical rent, but Jacksonville can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit St Paul in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Jacksonville and St Paul are 1,185 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $184 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $73,394 in St Paul, up $3,522 (5%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 166 in St Paul, up 16 points (11%).
The move
St Paul and Jacksonville are 1,185 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $184 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $3,522 (5%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 150 in Jacksonville, down 16 points (10%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
St Paul rent is 13% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so St Paul is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,208, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. St Paul still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Jacksonville.
Planning to buy in St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
St Paul's median income is 5% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
St Paul
Winner$73,394
Median household income is $73,394 in St Paul versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 5% higher in St Paul (about $3,522 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
10% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 10% lower than St Paul
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% 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 St Paul. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
69% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 69% more comfortable than St Paul
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Jacksonville scores 69% 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 St Paul 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
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat St Paul on this page's weather index by 69%. St Paul 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 10% lower than St Paul (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
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
St Paul is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($73,394). Start with St Paul if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,465/month rent in Jacksonville at 73°F versus $1,281 in St Paul at 50°F. Income runs $69,872 vs $73,394, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $184 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Jacksonville and 45/100 in St Paul.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Jacksonville; St Paul only makes sense when 50°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
Ready to move to St Paul?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for St Paul when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and St Paul, plus other cities in FL and MN.
