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Cost of living in Utah

Everyday prices in Utah run 1.1% below the US average, the 31st lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Utah next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
UtahUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Utah?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$102,900
Typical household incomeA year · 8th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,579/mo) against median income ($102,900). 20th lowest of 51.
5.6
Years of income to buy a home$579,000 median listing against $102,900 income. 37th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Utah?

3,343 more people moved to Utah from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Utah

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Provo-Orem, UT2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,444
    Typical home
    $569,900
    Mortgage
    $3,132/mo
  2. 2Ogden-Clearfield, UTAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,550
    Typical home
    $537,213
    Mortgage
    $2,952/mo
  3. 3Salt Lake City, UT1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,721
    Typical home
    $564,950
    Mortgage
    $3,105/mo

Utah next to its neighbors

The states that border Utah, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 15New Mexico8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,133
    Typical home
    $399,475
    Net moves
    -2,267
  2. 16Wyoming7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,035
    Typical home
    $496,500
    Net moves
    +1,474
  3. 23Idaho5% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,438
    Typical home
    $593,000
    Net moves
    +19,915
  4. 31UtahThis state1% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,579
    Typical home
    $579,000
    Net moves
    +3,343
Show 3 more
  1. 34NevadaAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,644
    Typical home
    $480,000
    Net moves
    +14,914
  2. 35Arizona1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,699
    Typical home
    $459,900
    Net moves
    +31,107
  3. 39Colorado3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,900
    Typical home
    $564,000
    Net moves
    -12,100

Utah by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Utah next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Utah98.9107.8$579,000$3,182$1,579
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Utah

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Provo-Orem, UT98.2$1,444$569,900
Ogden-Clearfield, UT100.3$1,550$537,213
Salt Lake City, UT100.9$1,721$564,950

Utah next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Utah98.9$1,579$579,000+3,343
Arizona100.7$1,699$459,900+31,107
Colorado103.1$1,900$564,000-12,100
Idaho95.5$1,438$593,000+19,915
New Mexico92.2$1,133$399,475-2,267
Nevada100.0$1,644$480,000+14,914
Wyoming92.7$1,035$496,500+1,474

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20+15,689
2020-21+30,249
2021-22+13,235
2022-23+547
2023-24+2,867
2024-25+3,343

States with a similar cost of living to Utah

Keep comparing

Utah cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Utah?

Everyday prices in Utah run 1.1% below the US average, the 31st lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 107.8 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $579,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $3,182 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,579 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $131,745 in Utah.

Is Utah cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Utah's regional price parity is 98.9, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 1.1% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Utah?

The median listed home in Utah is $579,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 42nd lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $3,182 a month.

How much is rent in Utah?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Utah is $1,579 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Utah equals $150,000 in New York?

About $131,745, using BEA regional price parities for Utah (98.9) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Utah?

3,343 more people moved to Utah from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page