Cost of Living in Salt Lake City, UT [2025]

Salt Lake City is known for its backdrop of Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges, proximity to outdoor recreation, thriving job market, and as the religious center of the Latter Day Saints. It's also become a top tourist destination in the past few decades, thanks in large part to hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's also home to the Family History Library, the most extensive genealogical library in the world.

Whether you want to ski on the weekends or hit restaurants after work, you can find what you're looking for in Salt Lake City. But how will you know if you can afford it? Here's how to measure its cost of living to figure out if living in this charming city is right for you.

Cost of Living in Utah

What is the Cost of Living in Salt Lake City?

According to Payscale, the cost of living in Salt Lake City is is 9% higher than the national average. Much of this is due to housing, which is 25% higher than the national average. Let's take a look at how costs break down across different types of spending categories.

How Much Is Rent in Salt Lake City?

As of September 2024, current overall median rent in Salt Lake City is $1,333 a month. One bedrooms cost around $1,153 whereas two-bedrooms are closer to $1,457.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Salt Lake City?

There is a technique to figuring out how much you should earn to live in Salt Lake City called the 30% rule. The rule stipulates you should spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent in order to have enough money for all your bills, entertainment, and savings. Thus, to live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment at the current median rate, you'll need to earn a little over $46,000 a year before taxes.

Keep in mind that the average salary you should shoot for is different from the living wage. The "living wage," or the minimum amount of money needed to live above the poverty threshold, is $22.67 per hour in Salt Lake City for a full-time employed individual. The median income in Salt Lake City is $72,357, as reported by the Census Bureau in 2019. By comparison, the median income is $86,833 in the rest of Utah.

There are still affordable Salt Lake City neighborhoods and places outside the city to fit your paycheck. If you want to live Downtown or near urban amenities, shoot for a healthy salary to accommodate the lifestyle.

A 45-minute drive outside of Salt Lake City will take you to Provo, which is the best city for remote workers. If you're interested in living in a place that's perfect for the remote work environment and nearby somewhere with an affordable cost of living, Provo might be for you!

How Much Are Utilities in Salt Lake City?

You should also factor your utilities into the budget you set for your Salt Lake City cost of living. A basic utility bill for a 915 sq ft apartment in Salt Lake City will average $229.70 a month, which is lower than the national average of $253.14. The estimated cost includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. If you want Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL), add another $81.38 to bring your total up to $301.58 a month.

How Much Is Child Care in Salt Lake City?

Childcare is among the most expensive budget expenditures for most family's budget, aside from their rent or mortgage. In Salt Lake City, according to MIT, childcare costs around $9,746 for one child every year. If you have two children, you'll spend around $18,539 annually.

Research shows that among 77% of people in Utah live in a "childcare desert," raising the red flag on a need for more facilities and caregivers. If you're moving to Utah and need childcare, consider living in a large metro area or looking for private nannies or part-time programs to find the support you need.

How Much Is Transportation in Salt Lake City?

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single Salt Lake City adult will spend an average of $10,313 on transportation. Families of two working adults and a child should expect to pay $15,034. In Utah, data for the average transportation costs are $10,948 for one working adult or $15,959 for two working adults with one child.

Transportation costs vary depending on where you live in the Beehive State. Working remotely in a small town in Utah will add little to your monthly budget. But if you live in Salt Lake City, most locals own cars to make the most of the metro area and get to nearby ski resorts and outdoor recreation. The city also has a robust public transportation system with commuter trains, buses, and a light rail. Locals take the FrontRunner from suburbs like Provo and Ogden to get to Salt Lake City. The light rail TRAX system stretches from Downtown across the valley. Whether you're going to the airport or ski resorts, getting from point A to point B is a breeze.

Uber, Lyft, and taxis can also be found in Salt Lake City. You can even bike your way through the city to take advantage of the outdoor beauty. Bike-sharing stations are available at GREENbike Station.

Learn more about the costs of moving to Salt Lake City from another state.

How Much Are Groceries in Salt Lake City?

The annual cost of low-price groceries in Salt Lake City is $4,165 for one working adult. For two adults and one child, your costs rise to $9,208 a year. Your costs will also depend on if you live in a rural area where big grocery store chains are more scarce or a metro area where you have access to discount grocery retailers.

Salt Lake City Fitness & Entertainment

Utah’s mountainous backdrop makes it a gorgeous place for biking and walking. If you live in Salt Lake city, head Downtown to Liberty Park or get out of the city to the nearby Alta Ski Area or Fifth Water Hot Springs. If your workouts require equipment, or you're interested in taking some group classes, plan to pay $23.20 in monthly membership fees. To compare, a gym membership in San Francisco will run $95.92 per month on average. Setting up a small home gym in your apartment is an excellent way to save some money.

Salt Lake City also offers classic entertainment options like cinemas. Going on a date to see the latest blockbusters will cost you $12 per ticket, plus drinks and popcorn. Movie theater tickets in New York are priced at $20, while in San Francisco, you'll pay $17.

Find Your Next Apartment in Salt Lake City

Now that you know the ins and outs of the cost of living in Salt Lake City, you can start your apartment hunt. Start your Salt Lake City apartment search today with this quiz!

If you're interested in learning more about the cost of living in Utah, read our blog!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Utah and in 2024:

How far is Salt Lake City from Park City?

The distance between Salt Lake City to Park City is 31.8 miles and takes about 41 minutes to drive.

How far is Salt Lake City from Moab?

The distance between Salt Lake City and Moab is 233.5 miles and takes about 3 hours and 47 minutes to drive.

How far is Salt Lake City from Las Vegas?

The distance between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas is 420.6 miles and takes about 6 hours and 11 minutes to drive. It takes 1 hour 20 minutes to fly from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas.

What is the population of Utah?

According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Utah is 3,417,734. It is the 30th-most populated state in the U.S. The population fo Satl Lake City is 209,593.

Is Utah cheaper than California?

Utah is significantly cheaper than California. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, California sits at $2,396, while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah sits at $1,464.

Is Utah cheaper than California?

Utah is significantly cheaper than California. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, California sits at $2,396, while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah sits at $1,464.