Median rent is 5% lower in Salt Lake City ($1,343/mo vs $1,415/mo). Buying is cheaper in Worcester, where the median home runs $339,500 versus $495,700. Households earn more in Salt Lake City ($74,925 vs $67,544 a year). Taken together, Salt Lake City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.8 against 96.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Salt Lake City, UT.
City A
Salt Lake City, UT
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Salt Lake City, UT?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$75,127
You'd need $127 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Salt Lake City
Utah
Worcester
Massachusetts
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,343/mo in Salt Lake City and $1,415/mo in Worcester. Home buyers face a steeper market in Salt Lake City: the median home is $495,700 versus $339,500 in Worcester — 32% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Utah's top income tax rate is 4.65% versus 9.00% in Massachusetts, so Salt Lake City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.85% in Utah and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Salt Lake City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Salt Lake City
Income tax: 4.65%
Sales tax: 4.85%
Worcester
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Both cities have similar air quality: Salt Lake City averages 31.0 AQI (Good) and Worcester averages 32.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,925/yr).
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.65%).
Is Salt Lake City cheaper than Worcester?
Salt Lake City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.8 versus 96.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Salt Lake City.
How much is rent in Salt Lake City vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,343/mo in Salt Lake City, UT and $1,415/mo in Worcester, MA. Salt Lake City, UT has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Salt Lake City or Worcester?
Median household income is $74,925 in Salt Lake City, UT and $67,544 in Worcester, MA. Salt Lake City, UT has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Salt Lake City, UT has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 32.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Salt Lake City or Worcester?
Utah's top income tax rate is 4.65% and Massachusetts's is 9.00%. Salt Lake City, UT has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Salt Lake City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Salt Lake City, UT is equivalent to roughly $100,169 in Worcester, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology