Salt Lake City, Utah
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Salt Lake City.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Salt Lake City?
For relocators asking how much Salt Lake City costs: the housing index sits at 132 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $495,700 and rents near $1,343. Local median income is about $74,925 and unemployment recently ran 3.5% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 22 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 712.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 132U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $495,700U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,343U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $74,925U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 22 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 712.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Salt Lake City compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 217,783City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $74,925Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 132ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $495,700City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year63% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,343City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 22 min12% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5931% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 712.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)21% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 5657.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)83% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 26°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 15.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals53% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 274As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Salt Lake City grew 16.7% from 186,643 in 2010 to 217,783 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Salt Lake City expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Salt Lake City runs 32 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 132 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $495,700 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,343 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Salt Lake City?
Budget first around $1,343/month rent or $495,700 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $495,700
- Median rent $1,343/month
- Median household income $74,925
What is the job market like in Salt Lake City?
Labor-market context for Salt Lake City: unemployment 3.5% and median income $74,925. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $74,925
How long is the typical commute in Salt Lake City?
Plan on roughly 22 minutes each way in Salt Lake City. Walk Score estimates around 59 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 22 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 59/100
Is Salt Lake City safer than similar U.S. cities?
Salt Lake City's FBI-derived violent rate (~712.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 712.4 per 100k
- Property 5657.4 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 26°F winter mornings, 15.5" annual rainfall, and 274 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 26°F
- 15.5 in rain · 274 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Salt Lake City, Utah will find roughly 217,783 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $74,925; our housing-derived cost index is about 132 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,343 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Wasatch Front powder days and rapid suburban expansion are the draw. Roughly 274 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 22 minutes one-way, with walkability near 59/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.5% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 712.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Salt Lake City is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Salt Lake City with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Salt Lake City city, 1600000US4967000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Salt Lake County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00024127 SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10