Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Austin
59.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 203,888 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 15.4% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.7% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 20.8% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $74,925 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $49,642 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 13.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 50.9% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $580,126 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA