Salt Lake City vs Austin (cost, state, better, comparison)

[Turnerbro]

I figured this would be an interesting comparison. Both cities stand out as being very unique from the rest of their states. Which overall do you prefer?
Some criteria to consider

1. Downtown
2. Walkability
3. COL
4. Economy
5. Recreation
6. Climate
7. Architecture
8. Bars/Restaurants
9. Suburbs
10. Transportation Car/Public
11. Scenery
12. Skyline
13. Where would you rather live?

[C24L]

Austin

[Drewjdeg]

Downtown - Austin
Downtown Salt Lake City very clean, but too corporate - and there's not very many places to drink. Austin is a lot more lively and fun at night.

Walkability - Salt Lake City
Both are car-centric, but Salt Lake City has more sidewalks.

COL - Salt Lake City
Austin as a whole isn't that bad, but home prices in any desirable/walkable neighborhood are off the charts, so SLC.

Economy - Austin
Salt Lake City has the "Silicon Slopes" area, but I feel every tech company has a satellite office in Austin these days. Hard to beat Austin here.

Recreation - Tie
In terms of outdoor recreation, Salt Lake City; Park City and the mountains are right there. In terms of general stuff to do in the city, Austin.

Climate - Tie
SLC doesn't have the extreme heat and humidity that Austin gets, but air quality is very poor in the winter due to the inversion layer, tie.

Suburbs - Austin
More things to do in the Austin suburbs, pretty neighborhoods and lakes to the west of the city.

Transportation - Salt Lake City
Austin has terrible public/road infrastructure, SLC is has a surprisingly large light rail network, and rail to the airport.

Scenery - ???
I prefer the greenery and lakes in Austin, most people would probably say SLC for the mountains though.

Skyline - Austin
Austin has much more high rise development, and is much newer.

Where would you rather live? - Austin

[VietInKC]

Downtown: Austin by quite a bit
Walkability: Tie?
COL: Both are similar in cost but I feel SLC will win considering Austin's growth trajectory
Economy: Austin by quite a bit but not to say SLC doesn't have a good economy. Just more tech and higher paying jobs
Recreation: Outdoors: SLC Austin: Everything else
Climate: Subjective
Architecture: SLC?
Bars/Restaurants: Austin by quite a bit
Suburbs: SLC if Ogden and Provo are considered suburbs.
Transportation: SLC. Austin's infrastructure is just not keeping up with population growth.
Scenery: SLC by quite a bit
Skyline: Austin
Where would you rather live?: Austin since it's more diverse, better food, and it's near other big cities that I like as well. I have relatives too.

[march2]

. Downtown - Austin
2. Walkability - ?
3. COL - Tie
4. Economy - Austin, but it's very close.
5. Recreation - Salt Lake City
6. Climate - Salt Lake City
7. Architecture - N/A
8. Bars/Restaurants - Austin
9. Suburbs - Salt Lake City
10. Transportation Car/Public - Salt Lake City
11. Scenery - Salt Lake City
12. Skyline - Salt Lake City
13. Where would you rather live? Salt Lake City

I don't hate Austin, but do find it grossly overrated. Visited twice and really tried to like it, but for an area of 2m, there really aren't very many unique recreational asset that you can't find in other 2m+ metros. Found SLC to be a much better area (IMO).

[ccm123]

Austin.

[sub]

Salt Lake City would be more tolerable.

[berger12345]

I mean I love SLC but I’m surprised the poll is this close with how much people seem to love Austin in here.

[Marv95]

SLC. Better mass transit, not too "weird", not prone to Texas' wild weather and the COL isn't out of control. IDC about nightlife.

[Jame22]

the only category that matters.
13. I love the mountains but Austin wins by far. I think i'd feel too isolated in SLC. I love most things about Austin.