Salt Lake City UT vs San Diego CA — 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 70.5% | 50.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 49.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $1,006,261 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.3% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 61.6°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 25.9 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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