Orem UT vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Orem
86,973
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.5 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 77.1% | 61.8% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 8.2% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.2% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $871,599 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 44.3% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 383 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3409 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 19.0% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 52.6°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 37.5 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.8 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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