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
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 203,888 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 51.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 30.1% | 2.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | 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 +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 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%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $580,126 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 46.8% | Jacksonville + |
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
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Jacksonville + |
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 +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 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 +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 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
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 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 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%.
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