Salt Lake City UT vs San Antonio TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

San Antonio, TX

Texas · Population: 1,458,954

  • Median HH Income$62,917
  • Median Home Price$251,035
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
28.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
2339

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
San Antonio
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
13.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
34.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
San Antonio
26.5 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Salt Lake City & San Antonio