Salt Lake City UT vs West Valley City UT — 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%
West Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 70.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
West Valley City
$60,713
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $60,713 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
West Valley City
$473,364
West Valley City +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $473,364 | West Valley City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
West Valley City
245
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
West Valley City
1931
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 245 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1931 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
West Valley City
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
West Valley City
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
West Valley City
10.8%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 33.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 19.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
West Valley City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $473,364. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. West Valley 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%.
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