Salt Lake City UT vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 153,455 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 70.5% | 30.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 16.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.1% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $2,144,024 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 43.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, 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 +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 25.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. 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, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Salt Lake City, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Salt Lake City, UTChicago, IL vs Salt Lake City, UTHouston, TX vs Salt Lake City, UTPhoenix, AZ vs Salt Lake City, UTPhiladelphia, PA vs Salt Lake City, UT