CityCompare

El Paso TX 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)

El Paso, TX

Texas · Population: 678,147

  • Median HH Income$58,734
  • Median Home Price$235,994
  • Unemployment6.2%
  • Bachelor's+27.5%

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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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About El Paso & Salt Lake City

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