Best Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL, for Every Buyer

by Jamie Gonzalez

Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States, and its neighborhoods differ as much as its geography. Historic Riverside and Avondale sit on the St. Johns River, San Marco anchors the Southbank, and the Southside is a hub of shopping, offices, and apartments within a short drive of the beaches. Which one is best depends on your commute, your budget, and how much you want to walk. We scored 32 Jacksonville neighborhoods on Movoto data and public sources so you can compare them side by side.

Key takeaways

Best overall: Lakewood (7.4), followed by Secret Cove, Holiday Hill, Southside, and Avondale.
Best for commuters: Southside, with San Marco and Downtown Jacksonville next.
Best for young professionals: Southside, Downtown Jacksonville, and Lakewood.
Best value: Southside Estates, Secret Cove, and Holiday Hill.
Best for pet owners: Riverside, Downtown Jacksonville, and Arlington.

How we ranked Jacksonville’s neighborhoods

Each neighborhood received a 0 to 10 score on affordability, price appreciation, school quality, safety, walkability, food and dining, kid-friendliness, and commute time. Movoto supplied the walk, food, kid, and pet scores, prices, and GreatSchools ratings. We added incident reports from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office public data, commute times from the American Community Survey, and 2025 appreciation from FHFA ZIP-code price indexes. Each “best for” list reweights those scores for that audience, and the score beside each neighborhood is its score for that list. Full methodology is at the end.

Not sure what fits your budget? Movoto’s home affordability guide and calculator can help you estimate a price range before you start comparing neighborhoods.

Best Jacksonville neighborhoods overall

1. Lakewood (score 7.4)

Median price: $249K | Walk score: 51 | Average commute: about 23 minutes

Low crime, a walkable core, and a below-$250K median make it the strongest all-rounder in our data.

Lakewood sits in the Southside area, close to the shopping and dining of the St. Johns Town Center and the Southbank’s offices. It has one of the lowest crime figures among neighborhoods that also score well on walkability and food, and the commute is shorter than in most of the city. If you’re shopping around $250,000, Movoto’s guide to what kind of house you can buy with $250K shows how that budget compares across major markets.

Ready to look? Browse homes for sale in Lakewood or see Lakewood market trends.

2. Secret Cove (score 7.4)

Median price: $179K | Walk score: 22 | Average commute: about 22 minutes

The lowest price among the top picks, with good schools and a short commute.

Secret Cove is a quiet residential area in the southern half of the city, with a median price under $180,000 and above-average school ratings in our data. Appreciation in its ZIP code was among the strongest in the city in 2025. The walk score is low, so most errands are by car.

Want a lower price in a central location? See homes for sale in Secret Cove or Secret Cove market trends.

3. Holiday Hill (score 7.4)

Median price: $245K | Walk score: 32 | Average school rating: 7.0/10

Strong schools and strong 2025 appreciation at a price near $245K.

Holiday Hill is a residential neighborhood with ZIP-level appreciation of about 4.7% in 2025, one of the best in our set, and school ratings that average 7.0 out of 10. The area is car-oriented, and crime is moderate.

Explore homes for sale in Holiday Hill or Holiday Hill market trends.

4. Southside (score 7.1)

Median price: $465K | Walk score: 70 | Average commute: about 19 minutes

The shortest commute and the highest walk score among the top picks.

Southside is Jacksonville’s commercial hub, home to the St. Johns Town Center’s shops and restaurants, a large concentration of offices, and a mix of condos, apartments, and single-family homes. The commute is the shortest in our data. Crime per resident looks high because of the amount of retail and the number of visitors compared with residents.

Ready to live near it all? Browse homes for sale in Southside or Southside market trends.

5. Avondale (score 7.0)

Median price: $462K | Walk score: 59 | Average school rating: 7.0/10

A historic riverside neighborhood with a walkable shopping district and low crime.

Avondale is one of Jacksonville’s best-known historic neighborhoods, with early-1900s homes along the St. Johns River and a main street of boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. It has the lowest crime figure of the walkable neighborhoods in our set. At around $460K, it is one place to see what a $500K budget can buy compared with other markets, and the guide to the income needed for a $500K home breaks down what lenders look for.

Want a historic neighborhood on the river? See homes for sale in Avondale and Avondale market trends.

Best neighborhoods in Jacksonville for commuters

Weighted toward commute time, then walkability and safety.

Jacksonville’s size and its bridges over the St. Johns River make where you live a big factor in your commute. The neighborhoods below have the shortest average travel times in our data, between about 19 and 22 minutes.

1. Southside (score 8.5)

Median price: $465K | Average commute: about 19 minutes

The shortest average commute in our set, in the middle of the city’s office district.

Southside is close to the jobs along Baymeadows Road and Southpoint, and to I-95. The Town Center area offers shopping and dining for after-work errands.

Want a short drive to work? Browse homes for sale in Southside and Southside market trends.

2. San Marco (score 7.9)

Median price: $1.3M | Average commute: about 19 minutes

A short trip to the Southbank and downtown offices from a walkable neighborhood.

San Marco is centered on San Marco Square, with shops, restaurants, and a fountain, and is close to the Southbank’s offices and hospitals. The median price is high, and only a small number of homes were listed, so the figure is volatile.

Ready to live near the Southbank? See homes for sale in San Marco or San Marco market trends.

3. Downtown Jacksonville (score 7.4)

Median price: $212K | Average commute: about 22 minutes

The highest walk score in the city, with offices and the riverfront close.

Downtown has the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks, and many residents walk or bike to work. Prices are among the lowest of the walkable neighborhoods, but crime per resident is higher than elsewhere.

Explore homes for sale in Downtown Jacksonville or Downtown Jacksonville market trends.

4. Honorable mention: Garden City (score 7.3) and Baymeadows (score 6.7)

Garden City has a commute of about 20 minutes at a median of $247K, though the population in our one-mile circle is small. Baymeadows pairs a 20-minute commute with a median of $190K and low crime. See homes for sale in Garden City or homes for sale in Baymeadows.

Best neighborhoods in Jacksonville for young professionals

Weighted toward walkability, dining, commute, and affordability.

If your weekends involve restaurants, riverfront walks, and bars, these neighborhoods put the most within reach.

1. Southside (score 8.6)

Median price: $465K | Walk score: 70 | Food score: 83

A short commute and the Town Center’s restaurants and shops close to home.

Southside has many apartment communities, condos, and townhomes, with dining at the St. Johns Town Center and along Baymeadows Road. The beaches are a short drive east.

Ready to be close to it all? Browse homes for sale in Southside and Southside market trends.

2. Downtown Jacksonville (score 8.5)

Median price: $212K | Walk score: 80 | Food score: 81

The most walkable neighborhood in the city, and the lowest median price among the top picks.

Downtown has the Riverwalk, the sports and events district, and a growing number of restaurants and condos. A median under $215,000 is far lower than in comparable cities, though inventory and crime vary block by block.

Want to live on the river for less? See homes for sale in Downtown Jacksonville or Downtown Jacksonville market trends.

3. Lakewood (score 7.7)

Median price: $249K | Walk score: 51 | Food score: 83

Low crime and a short commute at a price under $250K.

Lakewood offers a quiet residential setting near the Southside’s restaurants and the Southbank’s offices, with some of the lowest crime figures among neighborhoods with good food scores.

Explore homes for sale in Lakewood and Lakewood market trends.

4. Honorable mention: Riverside (score 7.6), Pine Forest (score 7.5), and San Marco (score 7.4)

Riverside offers a walkable historic district with a 69 walk score near Five Points. Pine Forest has a food score of 85 at a median of $260K. San Marco has the Square’s shops and restaurants. See homes for sale in Riverside, homes for sale in Pine Forest, or homes for sale in San Marco.

Best value neighborhoods in Jacksonville

Weighted toward affordability, appreciation, and amenities per dollar.

Jacksonville’s medians are low for a large Florida city, and the best-value neighborhoods combine a low price with solid schools and growing ZIP-level appreciation.

1. Southside Estates (score 9.0)

Median price: $275K | 2025 appreciation: 7.3%

Very low crime and strong ZIP-level appreciation at a mid-range price.

Southside Estates is a quiet, car-oriented neighborhood with a kid score of 78 and one of the lowest crime figures in our set. The ZIP code’s price index rose more than 7% in 2025.

Ready to buy for less? Browse homes for sale in Southside Estates or Southside Estates market trends.

2. Secret Cove (score 8.8)

Median price: $179K | 2025 appreciation: 4.7%

The lowest median among the top picks, with strong schools and appreciation.

Secret Cove combines a median under $180,000 with school ratings that average 7.0 and a short commute. At that price, Movoto’s guide to what kind of house you can buy with $200K shows how far the same budget goes in other markets.

See homes for sale in Secret Cove and Secret Cove market trends.

3. Holiday Hill (score 8.6)

Median price: $245K | 2025 appreciation: 4.7%

Above-average appreciation and schools at a price under $250K.

Holiday Hill offers a median under $250,000, an average school rating of 7.0, and solid ZIP-level appreciation. It is a car-oriented neighborhood with moderate crime.

Explore homes for sale in Holiday Hill or Holiday Hill market trends.

4. Honorable mention: Sandalwood (score 8.6) and Baymeadows (score 8.2)

Sandalwood has low crime and 7.3% ZIP-level appreciation at a median of $354K. Baymeadows has a median of $190K and a commute of about 20 minutes. See homes for sale in Sandalwood or homes for sale in Baymeadows.

Best neighborhoods in Jacksonville for pet owners

Weighted toward the Movoto pet score, walkability, safety, and dog-friendly amenities. Tree cover was not available for Jacksonville, so it is not included.

1. Riverside (score 8.5)

Pet score: 96 | Walk score: 69

A walkable historic district with parks and the riverfront close by.

Riverside has shaded streets, Memorial Park along the St. Johns River, and the shops and restaurants of Five Points, which is a good setting for daily dog walks.

Ready to bring your dog along? Browse homes for sale in Riverside and Riverside market trends.

2. Downtown Jacksonville (score 8.4)

Pet score: 96 | Walk score: 80

Riverwalk paths and the highest walk score in the city.

Downtown’s Riverwalk offers miles of waterfront walking, and the area’s walkability means most errands are on foot.

See homes for sale in Downtown Jacksonville or Downtown Jacksonville market trends.

3. Arlington (score 8.4)

Pet score: 95 | Walk score: 66 | Kid score: 86

A walkable east-side neighborhood with a median price of $223K.

Arlington has a high kid score and sidewalks in many areas, and it is near the St. Johns River and Jacksonville University. Crime per resident is moderate.

Explore homes for sale in Arlington and Arlington market trends.

4. Honorable mention: Murray Hill (score 8.2), Southside (score 8.1), and Avondale (score 8.1)

Murray Hill offers a 62 walk score at a median of $255K, Southside has a pet score of 97, and Avondale has the lowest crime among walkable neighborhoods. See homes for sale in Murray Hill, homes for sale in Southside, or homes for sale in Avondale.

Best historic neighborhoods in Jacksonville (editorial pick)

This section is editorial and not part of the scoring.

1. Riverside

One of the city’s largest historic districts, with a walkable core at Five Points.

Riverside has early-1900s homes in styles that include Prairie and Craftsman, plus Memorial Park along the river. Browse homes for sale in Riverside.

2. Avondale

A historic neighborhood of early-1900s homes along the St. Johns River.

Avondale is known for its architecture and a main street of boutiques and restaurants. See homes for sale in Avondale.

3. San Marco

A neighborhood built around San Marco Square in the 1920s.

San Marco has Mediterranean Revival architecture and a walkable square with shops and restaurants. Browse homes for sale in San Marco.

4. Springfield

One of Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods, with Victorian homes and a historic district north of downtown.

Springfield has a large stock of late-1800s and early-1900s homes, many being restored. It did not rank as a top pick in our data, but it remains one of the city’s best examples of historic architecture. See homes for sale in Springfield.

Bottom line

Lakewood is Jacksonville’s best overall neighborhood in our data, with Secret Cove and Holiday Hill close behind at lower prices. Commuters and young professionals should look at Southside, while buyers looking for a walkable, historic neighborhood should look at Avondale and Riverside. Always check current listings, flood zones, and school assignments before you buy.

Methodology and data notes

We scored 32 neighborhoods from 0 to 10 on each criterion using min-max normalization, with price, crime, and commute inverted so lower is better. The overall score weights affordability 15%, appreciation 10%, schools 15%, safety 15%, walkability 15%, food 15%, kid-friendliness 5%, and commute 10%. Each category list reweights these inputs.

Movoto data: walk, food, kid, and pet scores, GreatSchools ratings (up to three non-private schools listed on each neighborhood page), and market trends (median price, price per square foot, days on market, active listings).
Neighborhood boundaries: Movoto’s neighborhood pages do not publish boundaries. For crime, population, and commute we used a one-mile circle around each neighborhood’s center point, so neighboring areas overlap and values are approximate.
Crime: all offense types in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office public incident layer, covering the most recent 365 days, within one mile of each center, divided by 2020 Census population in that circle. The Sheriff’s Office does not cover the beach cities, so Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach are not included. Rates run high in Southside and Downtown because of commercial activity and visitors.
Commute: average travel time to work estimated from American Community Survey block-group data inside the same circle.
Appreciation: 2025 annual change in the FHFA house price index for the ZIP code containing each neighborhood’s center. Several neighborhoods share ZIP codes, so their figures are identical. FHFA has no data for 32202 (Downtown), 32256 (Baymeadows and Deerwood), and the 32224 figure (Beach Haven) was an outlier, so we used the average of nearby ZIP codes for those.
Schools: Movoto’s school lists for Jacksonville are organized by ZIP code, so neighborhoods in the same ZIP, such as San Marco, Southside, St. Nicholas, Lakewood, and Pine Forest in 32207, share the same ratings. Because of that, we did not publish a schools-and-families list.
Luxury: only San Marco cleared our $1 million luxury threshold in the neighborhoods Movoto covers, so we did not publish a luxury list.
Left out: Mandarin, Northside, Paxon, Venetia, and Dinsmore had too few residents in our one-mile circles for a reliable crime rate, Julington Creek and Nocatee are in St. Johns County outside the Sheriff’s data, and Brooklyn had no price data. Several neighborhoods had very few active listings (St. Nicholas, Normandy, Mixon Town, San Marco), so their medians are volatile. Tree cover was not available.