Cost of Living in Salt Lake County, Utah
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Salt Lake County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Salt Lake County ranks #2,967 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 6%)
Sourced county brief
Salt Lake County median gross rent reaches 1,592 dollars monthly
The median gross rent in Salt Lake County was estimated at $1,592 per month, which is $443 above the Utah unweighted county mean of $1,149. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.5%, a figure 4.0 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 25.5%. Median home values in the county were $525,700, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $418,721. Owners of occupied housing units had median selected monthly owner costs of $1,714, while the state unweighted county mean was $1,201. Median income for renter households was $62,945. These statistics represent a snapshot from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Salt Lake County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.5% of renter household income in Salt Lake County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,592 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,714. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $63,680 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Utah unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,149 per month. Salt Lake County's $1,592 median is 38.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Salt Lake County
Rent Burden
19.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,275
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.1%
of gross income
The median home in Salt Lake County may be a stretch
Median home value is $525,700. Estimated monthly cost: $4,197 vs. your max of $2,275.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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