Richmond CA 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 15.4% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 17.3% | 2.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.3% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 20.8% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $74,925 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 46.8% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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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