The Complete Hillcrest Guide. (2026)

Executive Summary

Hillcrest is an established, affordable neighborhood on the Westside of Jacksonville, sitting in the 32205 area near Interstate 10. It is a suburban-feeling residential pocket with a mix of 20th-century ranch homes, newer traditional builds, and some duplexes, which gives it a wider range of housing than many established neighborhoods.

The neighborhood is known for being more affordable than much of Jacksonville, which makes it a practical option for first-time buyers, investors, and anyone willing to update an older home. Recent infill, such as the new traditional homes in the Cedarhurst development with attached garages and no homeowners association, has added newer product to the mix.

For pricing context, the median sale price in Hillcrest was about 256,500 dollars over the trailing twelve months in 2026 according to Redfin, down modestly from a year earlier. Move-in-ready ranches have tended to run from the low 100,000s to around 300,000 dollars, while newer builds from the last decade have sold between roughly 250,000 and 350,000 dollars. Those are third-party figures, not NEFAR statistics, so a specific home should be priced off recent comparable sales.

Quick Facts

Community Overview & History

A value Westside neighborhood with a range of homes

The Westside of Jacksonville sits west of the St. Johns River and downtown and has long been a place where buyers find value. Hillcrest is one of its established neighborhoods, near Interstate 10 with a suburban feel and a wide range of housing. The blend of older ranches and newer traditional infill is the reason buyers can find both a fixer-upper and a recent build on the same map.

How it feels on the ground today

Hillcrest reads as a quiet, established Westside neighborhood where the price of entry is low and the housing varies from mid-century ranches to recent builds. It draws first-time buyers, investors, and value-minded families, and the recent infill has brought some newer homes into an otherwise older area. As in any established neighborhood, condition varies a lot from home to home.

The Neighborhood and What You Are Buying

Hillcrest offers an unusually wide range for a value neighborhood, so the choices come down to the type of home and its condition rather than separate named villages.

Mid-century ranch homes

The core of the neighborhood is 20th-century ranch-style homes. These are the value tier, ranging from fixer-uppers to updated move-in-ready houses.

Newer traditional builds

Recent infill, including the Cedarhurst development, has added new traditional homes with attached garages and no homeowners association, which appeal to buyers who want newer construction at a Westside price.

Duplexes

The neighborhood also includes duplexes, which are of particular interest to investors looking for rental income at an affordable basis.

Real Estate Market

Hillcrest appeals to value-minded buyers and investors. First-time buyers like the low entry price, investors are drawn by the duplexes and rental demand, and buyers who want a newer home without leaving the Westside look at the recent infill.

The median sale price was about 256,500 dollars over the trailing twelve months in 2026 according to Redfin, down modestly year over year. Move-in-ready ranches have run from the low 100,000s to around 300,000 dollars and newer builds between roughly 250,000 and 350,000 dollars, so condition and home type drive a wide range. A specific home should be priced off the closest comparable sales rather than the neighborhood median.

For investors, the duplexes and affordable ranches make this a practical rental location, but confirm any rental rules and the condition of the property before buying.

Who Lives Here

Hillcrest draws practical, value-focused buyers. First-time buyers value the low entry price, investors target the duplexes and affordable ranches, and buyers who want newer construction look at the recent traditional infill. The neighborhood quiet, established character also appeals to those who want a real neighborhood feel near Interstate 10 and the urban core.

Schools

Hillcrest is served by Duval County Public Schools. Elementary, middle, and high attendance zones in Duval are assigned by street address, and several of the strongest options in the county are application magnets rather than neighborhood schools, so the only dependable way to confirm where a particular Hillcrest address is zoned is the official Duval locator at duvalschools.org/finder. If you are moving for a specific school, verify the assignment for the exact home before you write an offer, because zones can change from one street to the next and magnet seats are awarded through a separate application process.

Amenities & Lifestyle

Hillcrest keeps its own footprint simple and leans on the surrounding Westside for amenities, with retail and major roads close at hand.

Quiet residential streets

The settled, low-traffic streets are part of the neighborhood appeal for value buyers and families.

Recent infill homes

Newer traditional homes, including the Cedarhurst development, give buyers a newer option within an established area.

Westside retail

Everyday grocery, pharmacy, and dining are a short drive away along the Westside corridors.

Interstate access

Interstate 10 is close, putting downtown, the airport, and the rest of the city within an easy drive.

HOA, CDD & Costs

Hillcrest is an established neighborhood and generally does not carry a mandatory homeowners association, which keeps the monthly cost of ownership low. Some recent infill homes, like those in Cedarhurst, are also marketed with no homeowners association. Confirm the status for any specific home before relying on it.

Because there is typically no HOA, exterior standards and upkeep vary from home to home, so factor condition into your offer and your expectations.

Confirm property tax, any applicable CDD, and insurance through the Duval County Property Appraiser and a current quote, and budget for updates on older ranch homes that may need roof, HVAC, or systems work.

Commute Analysis

Hillcrest offers strong access to the urban core. Downtown is about twelve minutes away, Avondale and Riverside about ten, and Interstate 10 is close, which keeps this affordable Westside neighborhood well connected.

Shopping & Dining

Everyday shopping is close along the Westside retail corridors, with grocery stores, pharmacies, and casual restaurants covering daily needs a short drive from home. The historic shopping and dining of Avondale and Riverside are about ten minutes away, and the rest of the city is reachable via Interstate 10. The location pairs an affordable residential setting with convenient access to retail and the urban core.

Pros and Cons

Hillcrest vs. Comparable Communities

Hidden Things Buyers Should Know

Condition spans a huge range

Hillcrest runs from fixer-uppers in the 100,000s to newer builds in the 300,000s. Inspect carefully and price off the closest comparable sales for the exact home type and condition you are buying.

Newer infill has no HOA

The recent traditional homes, like Cedarhurst, are marketed with no homeowners association, which keeps costs low but also means no community-wide standards. Judge the block as well as the home.

Watch the rental mix

Some streets include duplexes and rentals alongside owner-occupied homes. If that matters to you, walk the specific block before you commit.

Momentum Expert Insight

Selling a Home in Hillcrest

Selling in Hillcrest is about matching the home to the right buyer, whether that is a first-time buyer for an updated ranch, an investor for a duplex, or a value buyer for a newer build. Clean presentation and honest disclosure move homes in this price-aware market.

We price from the closest comparable sales for the right home type and condition, and we market the affordability and the urban-core access to the buyers and investors who shop the Westside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

If you are weighing Hillcrest against other value-priced Westside neighborhoods, start with these guides.