Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 15.4% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 5.3% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $74,925 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $49,642 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 13.4% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 50.9% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 46.8% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 29.5% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.2% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.3% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 7.9% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. 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, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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