Salt Lake, Utah vs Denver, Colorado Air Quality
Side-by-side air quality comparison using 10 years of EPA monitoring data. Denver, Colorado has the edge with an Air Quality Grade of C (52/100).
| Metric | Salt Lake, Utah | Denver, Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality Grade | D (41/100) | C (52/100) |
| Current Median AQI | 54 (Moderate) | 54 (Moderate) |
| 5-Year Average AQI | 57 | 54 |
| 10-Year Trend | ↑ Worsening (+5) | → Stable (+1) |
| Unhealthy Days/Year | 26 | 14 |
| Primary Pollutant | Ground-Level Ozone | Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) |
Analysis
Denver, Colorado outperforms Salt Lake, Utah on overall air quality. With a Grade C (52/100) and a median AQI of 54,Denver, Colorado is currently in the "Moderate" range and is stable over the past decade.
The cities face different pollutant challenges: Salt Lake, Utah's dominant issue is ground-level ozone, while Denver, Colorado primarily contends with fine particulate matter (pm2.5). This means the seasonal and health risk patterns differ — check each city's individual page for detailed breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Denver, Colorado has better air quality with a Grade C (52/100) compared to Salt Lake, Utah's Grade D (41/100). Denver, Colorado has a current median AQI of 54 and is stable over the past decade.
Salt Lake, Utah averages 26 unhealthy air days per year (5-year average), while Denver, Colorado averages 14. Unhealthy days are those when AQI exceeds 100 and sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity.
Salt Lake, Utah's primary pollutant is Ground-Level Ozone, while Denver, Colorado's is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). Different dominant pollutants mean different seasonal and health risk patterns.