Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.0 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.7% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 50.9% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $580,126 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Gainesville, 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 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.3 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA