Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 203,888 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 15.4% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 5.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 20.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $74,925 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 29.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.2% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 16.1 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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