Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 203,888 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 27.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $60,713 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $580,126 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 46.8% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1931 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 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 baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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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