Salt Lake City UT vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 115,546 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 8.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 70.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 44.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 512 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3234 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.1% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 28.6 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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