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

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 +

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%

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 +

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 +

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 +

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Salt Lake City
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%.

Compare More Cities

About Oklahoma City & Salt Lake City