City comparison
No. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
The income gap between Phoenix and Jacksonville is significant: $81,332 median household versus $69,872. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,465 in Jacksonville.
This is a genuine split. Phoenix wins on the job market and Jacksonville wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Phoenix and Jacksonville are 1,791 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $117 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $11,460 (14%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 150 in Jacksonville, down 24 points (14%).
The move
Jacksonville and Phoenix are 1,791 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $117 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $11,460 (16%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 174 in Phoenix, up 24 points (16%).
Phoenix, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Phoenix and Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 7% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so Jacksonville is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $117, or $1,404 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
Phoenix's median income is 16% higher than Jacksonville
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
Jacksonville
$69,872
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Phoenix (about $11,460 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, Phoenix 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
14% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 14% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% 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 Phoenix. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Phoenix and Jacksonville are about even on typical weather.
Phoenix
80°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville
79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 80°F (86°F highs); Jacksonville averages about 79°F (86°F highs). Phoenix sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Jacksonville sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Phoenix is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($81,332). Start with Phoenix if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% 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.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Phoenix (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.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Phoenix at $81,332 median income versus $69,872 in Jacksonville. Housing ($1,465 in Jacksonville, $1,582 in Phoenix) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
With only $117 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,582 in Phoenix.
If local pay drives your move, Phoenix is the stronger match ($81,332 median income against $69,872). If an employer or family tie already points to Jacksonville, treat $1,465/month rent and $69,872 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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 Phoenix and Jacksonville, plus other cities in AZ and FL.
