Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 203,888 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 15.4% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 7.8% | 2.7% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 20.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $74,925 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $580,126 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.8% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 16.1 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. 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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