Understanding how Jacksonville, FL compares with Fresno, CA, is crucial to relocation or travel planning. The two cities differ significantly in terms of crime rates, weather, cost of living, employment, infrastructure, education, and more. Relocators and tourists alike can better plan their trips by exploring the two cities' unique aspects. This comprehensive comparison provides potential movers and visitors vital information to make an informed choice.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Fresno, CA : 2,225.4 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 75%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Fresno has grown by 116,858 people (27.3%) during that time.
Fresno's crime rates are higher than the national average, making safety a concern for both residents and tourists. By contrast, Jacksonville has lower crime rates, offering a safer environment. However, both cities have implemented numerous strategic initiatives to promote safety, making their downtown areas safer and attracting more tourists and potential residents.
Cost of Living
Living in Jacksonville, Florida, tends to be cheaper than living in Fresno, California. This is due to lower housing, grocery, and utility costs in Jacksonville. However, Fresno does tend to have lower transportation costs due to its investment in public transit.
Income Tax
Florida does not have a state income tax, which benefits Jacksonville residents. California does have a state income tax, impacting Fresno residents more significantly.
Property Tax
Property taxes are lower in Jacksonville compared to Fresno, which is largely due to the overall lower cost of living in Florida versus California.
Sales Tax
California generally has a higher sales tax than Florida. As such, Fresno's sales tax is higher than Jacksonville's.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$61,250
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$28,499
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
96.3
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $54,530 in Fresno to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is located on the Atlantic coast and boasts beautiful beaches, marshes, and nature reserves. Fresno is located in California's Central Valley and is close to three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.
Both cities boast an array of educational opportunities. Jacksonville is home to the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. Fresno, on the other hand, is home to California State University, Fresno, offering diverse study programs.
Both cities have diverse economies. Jacksonville's economy focuses on banking, healthcare, and logistics, while Fresno's economy is based on agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, major employers include Baptist Health, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and CSX Corporation. Fresno's major employers are Community Medical Centers, Saint Agnes Medical Center, and City of Fresno.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 1,911 building permits issued in Fresno in 2012 (1205 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fresno (Fresno County), 49.8% voted for Democrats and 48.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
2020
51.3%
53.0%
47.5%
45.2%
1.2%
1.8%
2016
47.2%
49.2%
48.6%
43.2%
4.2%
7.5%
2012
47.9%
49.8%
51.5%
48.0%
0.6%
2.2%
2008
49.0%
50.2%
51.0%
48.1%
0.0%
1.8%
2004
41.7%
42.0%
57.9%
57.8%
0.3%
0.3%
2000
40.9%
43.2%
57.7%
53.3%
1.4%
3.5%
1996
44.2%
45.3%
50.0%
47.4%
5.8%
7.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
1.6%
22.3%
8.1%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
31.0%
2.8%
6.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.0%
2.3%
0.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.3%
0.6%
0.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
0.9%
2.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.7%
1.4%
2.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
0.2%
2.4%
Weather
With its Mediterranean climate, Fresno offers hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On the other hand, Jacksonville experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
63°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
60.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
67%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
88%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
21%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
11.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
32.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
82.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
52%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
96%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
44%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6.5 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Fresno, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
Jacksonville
Fresno
2018
78
128
N/A
0.35
9.7
N/A
24.5
31.7
N/A
N/A
39.7
N/A
7.1
14.8
N/A
0.6
2017
74
132
N/A
0.35
9.2
N/A
24.7
33.2
N/A
N/A
38.3
N/A
5.8
14.3
0.7
0.6
2016
65
128
0.50
0.35
8.4
N/A
24.9
31.4
N/A
N/A
34.7
N/A
5.2
13.5
0.4
0.5
2015
63
134
0.35
0.32
8.7
N/A
25.4
31.1
N/A
N/A
34.2
N/A
4.9
13.9
0.3
0.5
2014
66
139
0.27
0.33
10.1
N/A
24.3
32.4
N/A
0.004
39.3
N/A
5.9
16.4
0.7
0.5
2013
68
136
0.18
0.37
11.1
N/A
23.0
31.0
N/A
0.005
43.3
N/A
5.3
19.1
0.7
0.6
2012
66
140
0.10
0.36
9.7
N/A
24.0
31.9
N/A
0.004
36.1
N/A
5.8
14.2
0.6
0.6
2011
88
139
0.28
0.34
8.7
N/A
26.6
33.5
N/A
N/A
30.2
N/A
8.1
21.1
0.8
0.8
2010
77
121
0.31
0.27
6.9
N/A
26.4
31.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
N/A
0.8
0.7
2009
72
107
0.16
0.31
7.3
N/A
25.0
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
N/A
0.6
1.6
2008
75
130
0.15
0.33
9.3
N/A
27.6
31.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
22.2
0.9
1.0
2007
92
146
0.29
0.34
10.0
N/A
28.4
28.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
26.0
1.2
0.7
2006
87
104
0.35
0.36
11.3
N/A
29.0
29.7
N/A
0.006
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
1.4
N/A
2005
93
101
0.42
0.33
10.7
N/A
26.5
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
N/A
2004
92
103
0.40
0.34
11.5
N/A
25.2
30.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
N/A
2003
55
115
0.43
0.44
15.0
N/A
21.6
31.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.2
2002
59
139
0.49
0.43
15.2
N/A
22.2
44.8
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
N/A
2001
74
143
0.49
0.42
15.1
N/A
24.0
47.3
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
N/A
2000
85
136
0.52
0.51
15.4
N/A
25.1
41.0
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
9.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
8,613%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
12%
Transportation
Jacksonville offers various public transportation options, including buses, ferries, and trains. Fresno, on the other hand, focuses more on bus services, with its well-maintained city bus network and Greyhound intercity bus service.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
2
FAA registered aircraft
566
408
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
36
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Bicycle
0.2%
0.8%
Bus
1.1%
1.3%
Carpooled
9%
10.7%
Car alone
86.5%
84.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Average
27.5 min
23.7 min
Other means
25 min
21.5 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
45.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
88.3%
In 2 person carpool
8%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.8%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
In comparison, home prices in Fresno tend to be higher than in Jacksonville. However, rental prices are fairly comparable.
Neighborhoods
Both Jacksonville and Fresno offer diverse neighborhoods that cater to various lifestyle needs. From the scenic beaches of Jacksonville Beach to the historic charm of Fresno's Tower District, there's a neighborhood for everyone.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Houses
422,315
188,756
Average household size (people)
2.5
3.1
Median year apartment built
1985
1977
Median year house/condo built
1987
1983
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
12.6 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
181,841 (96.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
91,233 (50.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
90,608 (49.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$958.34
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$1,209
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$285,919
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$321,300
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$375,492
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$184,112
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$196,355
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$287,684
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$100,122
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$260,277
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$358,028
Median house age
36
42
Renting percentage
38.3%
50.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,808.6
House value disparities
33.2%
29.4%
Household income disparities
44.2%
46.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$97,354
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$73,445
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
1,037 (1.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
2,880 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
59,354 (98.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
68 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
4,120 (6.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Fresno
One, detached
59.4%
59.0%
One, attached
6.1%
3.2%
Two
2.1%
3.0%
3 or 4
5.3%
7.8%
5 to 9
5.0%
9.6%
10 to 19
7.9%
3.6%
20 to 49
4.9%
3.4%
50 or more
5.3%
7.5%
Mobile homes
3.8%
2.6%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
14,428
State government workers
13,692
9,836
Unpaid family workers
1,066
890
Industries and Occupations
Jacksonville is home to industries like banking, logistics, and healthcare. On the other hand, Fresno's primary industries include agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing.
Both cities have quality healthcare systems. Jacksonville is home to well-respected institutions like the Mayo Clinic, while Fresno has Community Medical Centers and Saint Agnes Medical Center.
Jacksonville and Fresno have invested significantly in infrastructure. Jacksonville boasts a modern road network and a renovated downtown area, while Fresno has developed its public transit system and invested in sustainable infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Fresno
Hospitals
25
32
TV stations
17
4
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
191
98
Bank institutions located here
31
25
Main business address for public companies
23
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
5
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Fresno
1999
5,422
717
2000
4,132
484
2001
3,038
462
2002
2,017
569
2003
3,563
1,510
2004
4,781
2,462
2005
7,134
3,394
2006
8,812
3,441
2007
5,298
2,138
2008
1,719
760
2009
676
354
Culture and Food
Both cities boast rich cultural histories. Jacksonville has a vibrant arts scene, while Fresno is known for its agricultural roots and food-oriented festivals.
Sports Teams
Sports fans will find something to love in both cities. Jacksonville is home to the Jaguars of the NFL, while Fresno hosts the Fresno Grizzlies, a minor league baseball team.
Jacksonville, FL
Fresno, CA
Jacksonville, FL and 
Fresno, CA : 2,225.4 miles
