A
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
12%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Cedar City Utah National
Cost of living101104100
Goods & Services97102100
Groceries9899100
Health care8591100
Housing112114100
Transportation104105100
Utilities9495100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Cedar City, UT

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Cedar City is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Cedar City is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Cedar City is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Cedar City?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 11 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Cedar City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 9% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 91% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Cedar City Affordable?

Is Cedar City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Cedar City, the median home price is 23.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 14.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Cedar City boasting a median household income of $52,524, 5.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cedar City?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Cedar City, the transportation index is 3.5% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Cedar City, the groceries index registers 1.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Cedar City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Cedar City is 3% lower than the Utah average
  • The cost of living in Cedar City is 1% higher than the national average
  • Cedar City housing is 12% higher than the national average
  • Utah general sales tax is 20% higher than the national average
  • Utah state income tax is 115% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Cedar City

See all the best places to live around Cedar City

Compare Cedar City, UT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,420$5,868$1,643$2,113
      Renters$34,440$2,870$804$1,033
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Cedar City, UT, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Cedar City have a median income of $70,420. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,643 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $34,440, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $804.

      Utah Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Utah 6.1% 8.35%

      Utah Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Utah 4.85% 4.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.23$24.268.4%
      Beauty Salon $32.57$45.5628.5%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.4%
      Shampoo $1.06$1.2817.0%
      Movie $11.81$12.132.7%
      Bowling $14.33$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.61$5.844.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.72$1.579.2%
      Milk $4.53$4.673.0%
      Potatoes $4.62$4.936.4%
      Pizza $12.39$12.092.5%
      Beer $10.93$10.415.0%

      Health Care

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $97.25$125.6822.6%
      Doctor $100.33$135.7826.1%
      Dentist $91.12$113.2919.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.61$10.650.4%
      Lipitor $513.30$468.609.5%

      Housing

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $227,500.00$184,700.0023.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,446.69$2,346.694.3%
      Apartment Rent $809.00$949.0014.8%

      Transportation

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.63$3.465.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.97$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Cedar City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.84$193.9910.4%
      Phone $191.46$192.250.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brian Head, UT43973.0%
      Parowan, UT3,104981.7%
      Kanarraville, UT3031022.2%
      Enoch, UT7,0441066.0%
      Summit, UT25211615.9%
      Cedar City, UT33,4041011.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Alabaster, AL33,373990.5%
      Woodridge, IL33,44311616.1%
      Estero, FL33,45012626.2%
      Fairborn, OH33,456927.9%
      Saint-Georges, QC33,468n/a 
      Cedar City, UT33,4041011.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.