Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 15.4% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 1.7% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 5.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $74,925 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 29.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.2% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.3% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 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, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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