Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Utah instead of New Jersey, you would:
Health
live 1.1 years longer
In New Jersey, the average life expectancy is 78 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Utah, that number is 79 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
be 22.2% less likely to be unemployed
In New Jersey, 4.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Utah, that number is 3.5% as of 2025.
be 15.1% less likely to live below the poverty line
In New Jersey, 9.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Utah, however, that number is 7.9% as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 15.0% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in New Jersey is $1,653 as of 2023, while in Utah, it is $1,405 as of 2023.
be 10.8% more likely to own your home
In New Jersey, 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In Utah, that number is 70.6% as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 8.9 minutes less
The average one-way commute in New Jersey takes 30.9 minutes as of 2023. In Utah, it takes 22.0 minutes as of 2023.
be 29.4% less likely to smoke
In New Jersey, 11.9% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Utah, that number is 8.4% as of 2022.
be 21.9% less likely to be physically inactive
In New Jersey, 23.3% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In Utah, that number is 18.2% as of 2022.
live in an area that is 96.7% less densely populated
New Jersey has a population density of 488.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In Utah, that number is 16.2 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 14.1% more likely to be uninsured
In New Jersey, 7.1% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Utah, that number is 8.1% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 8.4 years older on average
The median age in New Jersey is 40.1 years as of 2023. In Utah, the median age is 31.7 years as of 2023.
be 27.9% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In New Jersey, 29.0% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Utah, that number is 20.9% as of 2023.
be 53.5% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In New Jersey, 9.9% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In Utah, that number is 4.6% as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey).
