Salt Lake City, Utah has an overall cost of living index of 97.1, which is 2.9 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,414 per month, while the typical home is valued around $539,500. Households earn a median of $75,090 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 41. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$75,090
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,414
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$539,500
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
97.1
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,259
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,456
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,747
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,333
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
97.1
Goods
94.7
Rents / Housing
118.5
Services
73.1
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $128,690 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $91,550 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $66,920 |
| ⚡Electrician | $64,510 |
| 📊Accountant | $86,540 |
| 🔧Plumber | $66,810 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $234,370 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $97,570 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $125,050 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $76,000 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $142,390 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $61,110 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $128,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
208,007
Latest estimate
Median Age
32.9 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
41.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,533
Per month
Avg Home Value
$463,650
Census ACS
January Avg
31°F
July Avg
80°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.0
poor
Hospitals
8
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
89.6%
What is the cost of living index for Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 97.1. The US national average is 100, so Salt Lake City is 2.9 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Salt Lake City?
The median gross rent in Salt Lake City is $1,414 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Salt Lake City?
The median household income in Salt Lake City is $75,090 per year.
What is the median home value in Salt Lake City?
The median home value in Salt Lake City is $539,500 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 41.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Salt Lake City?
Tax data for Utah is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
