Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 15.4% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 20.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $74,925 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 13.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 46.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 29.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 16.1 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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