New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
New York
35.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 203,888 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 15.4% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 22.7% | 2.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 5.3% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 20.8% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $74,925 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $49,642 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 29.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.2% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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