Cost of Living for Utah (2026)
Utah (UT) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
101
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$75,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,200/month
State Income Tax Rate
4.65%
How This Calculator Works in Utah
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Utah and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Utah's cost of living index of 101 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Utah Overview
Utah has a cost of living index of 101, where 100 represents the national average. Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front have seen rapid housing cost increases driven by tech industry growth. Rural Utah and smaller cities remain affordable. The median household income is $75,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $74,257 in an average-cost location.
How Utah Compares
Utah's cost of living index of 101 compares to Colorado's 105 and Nevada's 104. Residents in Utah generally need higher incomes to maintain the same standard of living as those in more affordable states. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 20% less than Utah, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 90% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | COL Index: 105 | Colorado has a cost of living index of 105 and a median household income of $80,000. It is more expensive than Utah. |
| Nevada | COL Index: 104 | Nevada has a cost of living index of 104 and a median household income of $65,000. It is more expensive than Utah. |
| Idaho | COL Index: 97 | Idaho has a cost of living index of 97 and a median household income of $63,000. It is more affordable than Utah. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Utah's index of 101 is near the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Utah's median household income of $75,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Utah Residents
- 1Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front have seen rapid housing cost increases driven by tech industry growth. Rural Utah and smaller cities remain affordable.
- 2Utah's median household income of $75,000 has a real purchasing power of about $74,257 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Utah's top state income tax rate of 4.65% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Utah between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.