Salt Lake City UT vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 135,806 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.2 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 70.5% | 49.1% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $708,498 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Stamford
12.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.7% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 53.2 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 30.1 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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