salarySalt Lake City is the largest city in Utah that we track, with 208,007 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,320 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Utah cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Utah. It is number 27 of 97 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Salt Lake City with other big cities
Compare Salt Lake City to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Salt Lake City?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Salt Lake City
| Size | Salt Lake City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,179 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,317 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,657 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,236 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,213 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Salt Lake City overall?
Everyday prices in the Salt Lake City-Murray metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Salt Lake City
Life in Salt Lake City
What jobs pay in Salt Lake City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $147,010 | 13.1% |
| Lawyer | $136,990 | 14.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,240 | 14.8% |
| Software Developer | $129,600 | 14.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,350 | 14.9% |
| Operations Manager | $103,710 | 18.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,800 | 19.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,400 | 19.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,330 | 20.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,890 | 22.5% |
| Accountant | $82,100 | 23.5% |
| Police Officer | $80,970 | 23.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,920 | 24.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,970 | 28.8% |
| Plumber | $64,800 | 29.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,670 | 29.8% |
| Electrician | $62,620 | 30.8% |
| Truck Driver | $62,310 | 31.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,790 | 31.7% |
| Carpenter | $59,870 | 32.2% |
| Firefighter | $59,150 | 32.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,080 | 41.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,410 | 42.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,190 | 43.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,510 | 47.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,700 | 52.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,420 | 56.1% |
| Cashier | $33,390 | 57.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $32,320 | 59.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Salt Lake City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,135 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $539,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $53,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Salt Lake City, UT?
Renting in Salt Lake City costs a median of about $1,608 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Utah median is $1,832.
How much do I need to make to live in Salt Lake City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,320 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Salt Lake City cheap or expensive?
Salt Lake City is rated OK: rent takes 23.8% of the typical household income of $80,985. It ranks 27th cheapest of 97 Utah cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Salt Lake City?
The median homeowner in Salt Lake City pays $2,729 a year in property taxes, about 0.51% of the median home value.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Salt Lake City?
The median home value in Salt Lake City is $539,500, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
208,007 people live in Salt Lake City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.