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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Salt Lake City: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

0.9% above

Cost of living in Salt Lake City is 0.9% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area (index 100.9; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Salt Lake City is $1,440 a month.

Cost of living in Salt Lake City by category

Overall prices

100.9U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+0.9% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.4 −3.6%
Housing (rents)
123.3 +23.3%
Utilities
79.0 −21.0%
Other services
99.0 −1.0%

BEA 2024 · Salt Lake City metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,440/mo

Median gross rent

−3% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,296 About the same as U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,674 +12% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,747 +4% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$620,100 +72% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,204 +8% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$104/mo

Average electric bill

−34% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
13.1¢/kWh −28% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$11.32/Mcf −42% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
79.0

EIA July 2026 · Utah statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

19.6min

Mean travel time to work

−28% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
55.2%
Work from home
17.5%
Gasoline (PADD 4 avg.)
$4.44/gal About the same as U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$226/wk

Center care, infant

+30% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$184/wk +20% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$168/wk +16% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$168/wk +17% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Salt Lake County Details: Child care

Income

$77,186/yr

Median household income

−5% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
8.0×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Salt Lake City

Median gross rent in Salt Lake City is $1,440 a month, 3% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 21.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 44.8% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $620,100.

Housing costs: Salt Lake City vs. Utah vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Salt Lake City: $1,440; Utah: $1,593; U.S.: $1,487 Salt Lake City $1,440 Utah $1,593 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Salt Lake City: $2,204; Utah: $2,143; U.S.: $2,035 Salt Lake City $2,204 Utah $2,143 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Salt Lake City: $620,100; Utah: $545,200; U.S.: $360,600 Salt Lake City $620,100 Utah $545,200 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureSalt Lake CityUtahU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,440$1,593$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,204$2,143$2,035
Median home value$620,100$545,200$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Salt Lake City

What renters pay in Salt Lake City Share of renter households paying cash rent in Salt Lake City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 4.7%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 1%. Median $1,440. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 4.7% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 9.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 15.8% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 21.8% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 25% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 12.6% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 1% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,440 (Salt Lake City) 25%
Show the data table
RangeSalt Lake CityU.S.
Less than $5004.7%6.1%
$500–$7493.6%6.8%
$750–$9999.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24915.8%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49921.8%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99925%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49912.6%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9995.1%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991.1%3.2%
$3,500 or more1%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Salt Lake City

Measure Salt Lake City Utah U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,440$1,593$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,296$1,343$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,674$1,545$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,747$1,837$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,204$2,143$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Salt Lake City?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Salt Lake City. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $57,600 a year.

The median home is worth $620,100, or 8.0 times the median household income.

Household income in Salt Lake City

The median household in Salt Lake City earns $77,186 a year, 5% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 14.1% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 16.2% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Salt Lake City vs. Utah vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Salt Lake City: $77,186; Utah: $96,658; U.S.: $81,604 Salt Lake City $77,186 Utah $96,658 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureSalt Lake CityUtahU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$77,186$96,658$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Salt Lake City

Household income distribution in Salt Lake City Share of households in Salt Lake City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 4.6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 14.1%. Median $77,186. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 4.6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 4.7% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6.2% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 10% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 11.9% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 8.1% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.3% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 14.1% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $77,186 (Salt Lake City) 14.1%
Show the data table
RangeSalt Lake CityU.S.
Less than $10,0004.6%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.4%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9994.1%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9994.1%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.1%3%
$30,000–$34,9993.4%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9994.7%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.7%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996.2%6.4%
$60,000–$74,99910%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99911.9%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9998.1%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.3%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99910.1%9.7%
$200,000 or more14.1%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Salt Lake City Utah U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $77,186$96,658$81,604
Median home value $620,100$545,200$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area scored 100.9 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 123.3; the lowest is utilities at 79.0.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Salt Lake City metro area: 100.9; Utah: 98.9; U.S.: 100.0 Salt Lake City metro area 100.9 Utah 98.9 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Salt Lake City metro area: 96.4; Utah: 96.4; U.S.: 99.6 Salt Lake City metro area 96.4 Utah 96.4 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Salt Lake City metro area: 123.3; Utah: 107.8; U.S.: 100.6 Salt Lake City metro area 123.3 Utah 107.8 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Salt Lake City metro area: 79.0; Utah: 78.7; U.S.: 98.4 Salt Lake City metro area 79.0 Utah 78.7 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Salt Lake City metro area: 99.0; Utah: 99.0; U.S.: 100.1 Salt Lake City metro area 99.0 Utah 99.0 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureSalt Lake City metro areaUtahU.S.
All items100.998.9100.0
Goods96.496.499.6
Housing (rents)123.3107.8100.6
Utilities79.078.798.4
Other services99.099.0100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Salt Lake City-Murray, UT. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Utah paid an average of 13.1¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $104 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $11.32 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Utah averages rather than figures for Salt Lake City alone.

Energy prices: Utah vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Utah: 13.1¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Utah 13.1¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Utah: $104; U.S.: $157 Utah $104 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Utah: $11.32; U.S.: $19.40 Utah $11.32 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureUtahU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)13.1¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$104$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$11.32$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Salt Lake City who commute spend an average of 19.6 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (55.2% of workers); 17.5% work from home. Gasoline in the Rocky Mountain region (PADD 4), which includes Utah, averaged $4.44 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Utah price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Salt Lake City: Drove alone 55.2%, Carpooled 11.9%, Public transit 5.9%, Walked 5.6%, Bicycle 2%, Worked from home 17.5%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2%. Utah: Drove alone 67.7%, Carpooled 10.8%, Public transit 1.9%, Walked 2.2%, Bicycle 0.6%, Worked from home 15.7%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.2%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Salt Lake City: Drove alone. Salt Lake City Salt Lake City · Drove alone: 55.2% 55.2% Salt Lake City · Carpooled: 11.9% 11.9% Salt Lake City · Public transit: 5.9% Salt Lake City · Walked: 5.6% Salt Lake City · Bicycle: 2% Salt Lake City · Worked from home: 17.5% 17.5% Salt Lake City · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2% Utah Utah · Drove alone: 67.7% 67.7% Utah · Carpooled: 10.8% Utah · Public transit: 1.9% Utah · Walked: 2.2% Utah · Bicycle: 0.6% Utah · Worked from home: 15.7% 15.7% Utah · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.2% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationSalt Lake CityUtahU.S.
Drove alone55.2%67.7%69.2%
Carpooled11.9%10.8%9.2%
Public transit5.9%1.9%3.7%
Walked5.6%2.2%2.4%
Bicycle2%0.6%0.5%
Worked from home17.5%15.7%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)2%1.2%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Salt Lake City

Travel time to work in Salt Lake City Share of workers who do not work from home in Salt Lake City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 3.5%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 0.8%. Mean 19.6 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 3.5% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 9.7% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 21% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 23.5% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.5% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 4.5% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 9.9% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 1.5% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 1.7% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 3.8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.6% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 0.8% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 19.6 min (Salt Lake City) 23.5%
Show the data table
RangeSalt Lake CityU.S.
Less than 5 min3.5%2.8%
5–9 min9.7%9.4%
10–14 min21%13.1%
15–19 min23.5%15%
20–24 min17.5%14.1%
25–29 min4.5%7%
30–34 min9.9%13.7%
35–39 min1.5%3.4%
40–44 min1.7%4.1%
45–59 min3.8%8.3%
60–89 min2.6%6.3%
90 min or more0.8%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Salt Lake City

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $226 a week in Salt Lake County, or $11,766 over 52 weeks. That is 30% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Salt Lake County Utah (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $226$226$174
Center-based care, toddler $184$184$153
Center-based care, preschool $168$168$144
Center-based care, school-age $164$164$120
Home-based family care, infant $168$168$143
Home-based family care, toddler $156$156$132
Home-based family care, preschool $148$148$131
Home-based family care, school-age $144$144$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Salt Lake City prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Salt Lake City?

Median rent is $1,296 for a one-bedroom and $1,674 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Salt Lake City?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 17.7% pay less than $1,000 a month, 62.6% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 19.8% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Salt Lake City?

To keep the median rent of $1,440 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $57,600 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Salt Lake City more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area at 100.9 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 0.9% above average. Housing rents score 123.3.

How long is the average commute in Salt Lake City?

19.6 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Salt Lake City?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $226 a week in Salt Lake County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.