Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 203,888 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 2.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 20.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $580,126 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 46.8% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 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 oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma 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). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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