Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 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 | 26.7% | 15.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 28.8% | 2.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $74,925 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $49,642 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $580,126 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 46.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. 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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