Honolulu HI 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)
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$760,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 203,888 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Honolulu
$63,296
Honolulu +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $74,925 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,642 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $60,713 | Honolulu + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 50.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Honolulu
$760,355
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $760,355 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
276
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
2592
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
77.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
17.1 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 77.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Honolulu
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Honolulu
N/A
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 276 in Honolulu. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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