Jacksonville FL 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)

Jacksonville, FL

Florida · Population: 961,739

  • Median HH Income$66,981
  • Median Home Price$286,396
  • Unemployment4.6%
  • Bachelor's+31.9%

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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
1931

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Jacksonville & Salt Lake City