Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 203,888 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 15.4% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.3% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 20.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $580,126 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.8% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.0% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 16.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 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 fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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