Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Salt Lake City to Houston
Comparing Salt Lake City and Houston using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct trade-offs between income, housing costs, and commuting. Salt Lake City reports a higher median household income of $75,090 alongside a median gross rent of $1,414 and an owner-occupied home value of $539,500, with a derived one-way commute of 21 minutes. Conversely, Houston features a larger population of 2,328,253, a median household income of $64,813, a median gross rent of $1,361, and a substantially lower median home value of $277,800, though accompanied by a longer 30-minute commute and a simplified 0.00% state individual income-tax reference. Neither city serves as a universal winner, as citywide data excludes safety, schools, climate, insurance, and job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → Salt Lake CityMoving from Salt Lake City to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$53/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$636/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSAL → HOU
58/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$13,020after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $636 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Salt Lake City household income$75,090
Houston household income$64,813
Salt Lake City gross rent$1,414
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 208,007 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $75,090 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,414 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $539,500 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Salt Lake City and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Salt Lake City offers higher median household income
- Houston provides lower median home values
- Salt Lake City features a shorter commute time
- Houston has a larger overall population
What each city wins
Salt Lake City
Median owner-occupied home value of $539,500.. Watch a 21-minute commute estimate versus a $539,500 median home value..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do median home values compare between Salt Lake City and Houston?
According to 2024 ACS data, Salt Lake City has a median owner-occupied home value of $539,500, whereas Houston's median home value is significantly lower at $277,800.
What are the estimated one-way commute times for both cities?
Based on 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints, the derived one-way commute estimate is 21 minutes for Salt Lake City and 30 minutes for Houston.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.