Austin TX vs Orem UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Orem
10.5%
White
Austin
59.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 86,973 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.5% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.9% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 30.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $70,053 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $33,579 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.7% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 25.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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