Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 203,888 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 36.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 39.9% | 2.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $60,713 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $580,126 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 46.8% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1931 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 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 philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. 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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