Median rent is 27% lower in Salt Lake City ($1,414/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Salt Lake City, where the median home runs $539,500 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $75,090 a year). Taken together, Salt Lake City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.1 against 114.7 — about 15% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Salt Lake City, UT.
Cost of living verdict
Salt Lake City is 15% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.1 in Salt Lake City vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Salt Lake City, UT
How much would you need to earn in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$63,494
You could earn $11,506 less (15% 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
Salt Lake City
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 Salt Lake City — median rent of $1,414/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $539,500 in Salt Lake City — 41% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Salt Lake City
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
Salt Lake City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.1 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,414/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Salt Lake City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.1 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 15% lower in Salt Lake City.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake City, UT has the lower rent by about 27%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $75,090 in Salt Lake City, UT. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
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 $84,659 in Salt Lake City, 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
