Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 203,888 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 39.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $74,925 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $49,642 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 50.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $580,126 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 29.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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