Cost of living in Salt Lake City, UT
1,308,377 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 0.9% above the US average, with housing at 123.3 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,042 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Salt Lake City, UT
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Salt Lake County, UT in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $98,083 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $8,174 |
| Taxes | $988 | $1,571 | $1,125 |
| Take-home pay | $4,012 | $7,596 | $7,049 |
| Housing | $1,349 | $1,615 | $1,615 |
| Childcare | $0 | $974 | $1,757 |
| Food | $425 | $953 | $1,237 |
| Transportation | $177 | $353 | $353 |
| Sales tax | $42 | $58 | $67 |
| Other goods & services | $977 | $977 | $977 |
| Left over | $1,042 | $2,665 | $1,043 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($98,083). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Salt Lake City, UT vs Utah and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Utah statewide (light).
Within Utah, Salt Lake City, UT ranks 1st of 5 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 98.9. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,202 | $48,080 | 14.7% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,349 | $53,960 | 16.5% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,615 | $64,600 | 19.8% |
| 3-bedroom | $2,143 | $85,720 | 26.2% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,439 | $97,560 | 29.8% |
FY2027 FMRs for Salt Lake City, UT HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,583 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Salt Lake County, UT
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $226 | $14,383 | $168 | $10,690 |
| Toddler (2) | $184 | $11,688 | $156 | $9,901 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $168 | $10,683 | $148 | $9,389 |
| School-age (5–12) | $164 | $10,404 | $144 | $9,168 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Salt Lake County, UT (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Salt Lake City
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Utah income tax | $1,672 | $3,110 | $5,340 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,390 | $4,874 | $7,326 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.6% | 22.0% | 26.7% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Salt Lake City in our data. State sales tax: 6.1% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries 3%.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Salt Lake City, UT
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 100.9 | $1,615 | $1,042 |
| Ogden, UT · compare | 31 mi | 100.3 | $1,591 | $1,140 (+$98) |
| Provo, UT · compare | 40 mi | 98.2 | $1,363 | $1,199 (+$157) |
| Logan, UT-ID · compare | 67 mi | 95.9 | $1,265 | $1,424 (+$382) |
| Pocatello, ID · compare | 147 mi | 88.9 | $1,251 | $1,440 (+$398) |
| Twin Falls, ID · compare | 180 mi | 92.1 | $1,285 | $1,414 (+$372) |
| Idaho Falls, ID · compare | 188 mi | 94.4 | $1,274 | $1,332 (+$290) |
Common moves to and from Salt Lake City, UT
Census ACS metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020), people who moved in a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salt Lake City, UT expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Salt Lake City, UT metro at 100.9 (US = 100) in 2024 — 0.9% above the national average and the 73rd highest of 387 metros. Housing is 123.3, goods 96.4.
What salary do you need to live in Salt Lake City, UT?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,012 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,042 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Salt Lake City, UT?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,349 for a 1-bedroom and $1,615 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,583.
Does Salt Lake City have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Salt Lake City in our 2026 data. Utah state income tax does apply.