Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Salt Lake City to Phoenix
Comparing Salt Lake City, Utah, and Phoenix, Arizona, using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct financial and logistical trade-offs. Salt Lake City registers a smaller population of 208,007 and a median household income of $75,090, alongside a lower median gross rent of $1,414 and a higher median home value of $539,500. Conversely, Phoenix hosts a larger population of 1,642,323 with a higher median household income of $81,332, a higher median gross rent of $1,582, and a lower median owner-occupied home value of $420,700. Commute times favor Salt Lake City at 21 minutes compared to Phoenix's 28 minutes. Additionally, Phoenix incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50%, while Salt Lake City's state individual income tax is excluded due to lack of approved official reference.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Salt Lake CityMoving from Salt Lake City to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$168/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$2,016 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
55/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,568after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Salt Lake City is about $2,016 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Salt Lake City gross rent$1,414
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 208,007 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $75,090 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,414 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $539,500 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Salt Lake City and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 a shorter 21-minute commute.
- Phoenix features a higher median household income.
- Salt Lake City has a lower median gross rent.
- Phoenix presents a lower median home value.
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do the populations of Salt Lake City and Phoenix compare according to the 2024 ACS?
Based on 2024 ACS data, Salt Lake City has an estimated population of 208,007, whereas Phoenix is substantially larger with an estimated population of 1,642,323.
What are the housing cost differences between Salt Lake City and Phoenix?
According to the 2024 ACS, Salt Lake City records a median gross rent of $1,414 and a median home value of $539,500. Phoenix records a median gross rent of $1,582 and a lower median home value of $420,700.
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.