Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 203,888 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 72.7% | 70.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 2.7% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 5.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $74,925 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $49,642 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.8% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $580,126 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 46.8% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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