Salt Lake City UT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
13.3%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.9 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 13.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 70.5% | 39.1% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.1% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 11.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 14.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $580,173 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 41.1% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 398 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1999 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 24.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.7% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 32.8 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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