Cost of Living Comparison for Salt Lake City, UT
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Salt Lake City's cost of living index is 111 — 11% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Salt Lake City Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Salt Lake City stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $485,000 | $420,800 | +15.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,149 | $1,713 | -32.9% |
| Median Household Income | $77,200 | $74,580 | +3.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.53% | 1.10% | -51.8% |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 100 | +11.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Salt Lake City Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 1,270,000
- Unemployment
- 2.8%
- Avg Commute
- 23 min
- Median Age
- 32.2
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 35.2x
- Annual Property Tax
- $2,571
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Utah Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Salt Lake City
What is the median home price in Salt Lake City, UT?
The median home price in Salt Lake City is $485,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Salt Lake City?
Median monthly rent in Salt Lake City is $1,149. That works out to $13,788/year, or 18% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Salt Lake City affordable?
Salt Lake City's cost of living index is 111 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $77,200/year and a median home price of $485,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.3x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Salt Lake City household.
What is the property tax rate in Salt Lake City?
The effective property tax rate in Salt Lake City is 0.53% of assessed value. On the median home of $485,000, that's roughly $2,571/year ($214/month).