Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 203,888 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 63.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $580,126 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 46.8% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 245 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1931 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | 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
Louisville
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. 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).
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