Elizabeth NJ vs Salt Lake City UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 15.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 20.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $580,126 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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