Median rent is 26% lower in Orem ($1,438/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Orem, where the median home runs $472,300 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Orem ($83,342 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Orem is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.6 against 114.7 — about 23% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Orem, UT.
Cost of living verdict
Orem is 23% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 88.6 in Orem vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Orem, UT
How much would you need to earn in Orem, UT to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Orem, UT
$57,904
You could earn $17,096 less (23% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Orem
Utah
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Orem — median rent of $1,438/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $472,300 in Orem — 49% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Orem
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Orem
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Orem.
Pick Orem if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 88.6 vs 114.7).
Pick Orem if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,438/mo median).
Orem is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.6 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 23% lower in Orem.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,438/mo in Orem, UT. Orem, UT has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $83,342 in Orem, UT. Orem, UT has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $77,205 in Orem, UT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
