Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Salt Lake City, UT
It is 2171 mi and 38h 30m from Jersey City to Salt Lake City — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2171 mi · 38h 30m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Salt Lake City at 100.868 vs Jersey City at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 10.4% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 17.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Jersey City (54.8°F) and Salt Lake City (55.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.4% — $94,813 → $74,925 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in annually vs 28.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 50.4 in.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 21.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 10.4% lower than Jersey City (100.868 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 12.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 2171 mi and the route typically takes 38h 30m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Salt Lake City, UT.