Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jacksonville, FL
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 12 of 23 categories
Jacksonville
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,138
Violent Crime Index
164⚠ High
Population
950,203 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jacksonville, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $180/mo less ($1,281 vs $1,461)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 54°F
Cons
Violent crime (623.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails South Fulton by $13,350/yr
Property crime (2494.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
South Fulton, GA
Pros
25% less violent crime than Jacksonville
Households earn $13,350 more per year on average
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.8%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Jacksonville
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 99.2 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Jacksonville
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
4.8% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Median Income
$13,350
$77,488 vs $64,138/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
25% lower
470.5 vs 623.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 99.2 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $243,000 | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,281 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,138 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.1% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.1:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DUVAL | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.5°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 53.1" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 950,203 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.4% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jacksonville's cost of living index is 99.2 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Jacksonville is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 12 of 23 categories. Jacksonville wins 11 and South Fulton 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 Jacksonville to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($243,000 vs $242,200 median home), income ($64,138 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jacksonville, FL and South Fulton, GA are about 285 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.