Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 89.9% | 70.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $60,713 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 13.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $580,126 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 46.8% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 245 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1931 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.8°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 21.3 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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