Gainesville FL vs Jacksonville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 59.2% | 51.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.9% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 12.0% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Jacksonville
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 31.9% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Jacksonville
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Jacksonville
1453
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.8% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 70.2°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 50.0 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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