Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 203,888 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.4% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 22.4% | 2.7% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.3% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 20.8% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 13.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $580,126 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 46.8% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 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 arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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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