Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 203,888 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 53.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $580,126 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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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