Salt Lake City UT vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%

St. Petersburg, FL

Florida · Population: 260,646

  • Median HH Income$73,118
  • Median Home Price$331,500
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+41.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
41.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
12.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
St. Petersburg
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. 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 & St. Petersburg