Jersey City 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 203,888 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 15.4% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.7% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 5.3% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 20.8% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $74,925 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $49,642 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 50.9% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 29.5% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.2% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, 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.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, 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
Jersey City
40.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Jersey City 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA