Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 15.4% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 5.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 20.8% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 29.5% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.2% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 16.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 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 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 Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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