Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gainesville, FL
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories
Gainesville
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,783
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
142,414 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gainesville, FL
Pros
Homes cost $347k less ($216,600 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $750/mo less ($1,151 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.5%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 38°F
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $46,885/yr
Violent crime (738.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2703.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Quincy, MA
Pros
Households earn $46,885 more per year on average
55% less violent crime than Gainesville
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Gainesville
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gainesville
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 96.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Gainesville
Median Home Value
$347k less
$216,600 vs $563,200
Gainesville
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.7% unemployment
Gainesville
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 83.0°F
Quincy
Median Income
$46,885
$90,668 vs $43,783/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
55% lower
335.1 vs 738.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.9 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $216,600 ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,151 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,783 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.8 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.8% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (111) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.2:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 46.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.6% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALACHUA | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" | 52.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,414 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 43.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 13.6% | 15.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gainesville's cost of living index is 96.9 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Gainesville is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories. Gainesville wins 11 and Quincy wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Gainesville to Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($216,600 vs $563,200 median home), income ($43,783 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gainesville, FL and Quincy, MA are about 1,074 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.