City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Wichita split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 176 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $975 in Wichita.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Wichita 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. Wichita at $975 average has pockets that run $775 and others at $1,375: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Wichita are 1,030 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $975 a month in Wichita, down $490 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $64,620 in Wichita, down $5,252 (8%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 326 in Wichita, up 176 points (117%).
The move
Wichita and Jacksonville are 1,030 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $490 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $5,252 (8%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 150 in Jacksonville, down 176 points (54%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Wichita rent is 33% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Wichita is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $490/month back in your pocket ($5,880/year). Over five years that's $29,400 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 Jacksonville, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Wichita 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
8% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 8% higher than Wichita
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Jacksonville (about $5,252 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
54% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 54% lower than Wichita
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% 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. Wichita can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
10% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 10% more comfortable than Wichita
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. Jacksonville scores 10% 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 Wichita 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 73°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 54% lower than Wichita (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 Wichita
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Jacksonville leads on safety (48/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Jacksonville still pays more locally ($69,872 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Jacksonville rates.
Weather averages land near 73°F in Jacksonville and 61°F in Wichita.
Jacksonville is ahead on safety (48/100 vs 24/100); Wichita is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $975/month rent plus $64,620 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Wichita, plus other cities in FL and KS.
