Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jacksonville, FL
VS
Kent, WA
🏆 Jacksonville leads 18 of 23 categories
Jacksonville
Florida
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,138
Violent Crime Index
164⚠ High
Population
950,203 ✓ Larger
Kent
Washington
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jacksonville, FL
Pros
Homes cost $235k less ($243,000 vs $478,400)
Rent averages $461/mo less ($1,281 vs $1,742)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (4.8%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Kent by $22,828/yr
Violent crime (623.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2494.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Kent, WA
Pros
Households earn $22,828 more per year on average
21% less violent crime than Jacksonville
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Jacksonville
Key Differences at a Glance
Jacksonville
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 99.2 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Jacksonville
Median Home Value
$235k less
$243,000 vs $478,400
Jacksonville
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 7.6% unemployment
Jacksonville
Summer Heat
13.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 78.3°F
Kent
Median Income
$22,828
$86,966 vs $64,138/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
21% lower
489.7 vs 623.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 99.2 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $243,000 ✓ Lower | $478,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,281 ✓ Lower | $1,742⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,138 | $86,966 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.1% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.1:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DUVAL | Kent School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.5°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer | 78.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 53.1" | 44.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 950,203 ✓ Larger | 135,169 |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% ✓ Higher | 55.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.4% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jacksonville's cost of living index is 99.2 vs Kent's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Jacksonville is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Jacksonville leads 18 of 23 categories. Jacksonville wins 18 and Kent wins 5. 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 Jacksonville to Kent or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($243,000 vs $478,400 median home), income ($64,138 vs $86,966), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jacksonville, FL and Kent, WA are about 2,442 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.