Median rent is 21% lower in Orem ($1,438/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Orem, where the median home runs $472,300 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Orem ($83,342 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Orem is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.6 against 112.6 — about 21% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Orem, UT.
Cost of living verdict
Orem is 21% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 88.6 in Orem vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Orem, UT
How much would you need to earn in Orem, UT to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Orem, UT
$58,985
You could earn $16,015 less (21% 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
New York
New York
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 $1,821/mo in New York, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $472,300 in Orem — 39% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Orem
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Orem.
Pick Orem if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 88.6 vs 112.6).
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 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 21% lower in Orem.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $1,438/mo in Orem, UT. Orem, UT has the lower rent by about 21%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $78,647 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
