Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 203,888 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 15.4% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 16.2% | 2.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 5.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $60,713 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $580,126 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 46.8% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 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 saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. 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).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Saint Paul, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Saint Paul, MNChicago, IL vs Saint Paul, MNHouston, TX vs Saint Paul, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Saint Paul, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Saint Paul, MN