B+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
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 South Salt Lake Utah National
Cost of living110104100
Goods & Services106102100
Groceries10099100
Health care9691100
Housing125114100
Transportation110105100
Utilities9495100

An Overview of Cost of Living in South Salt Lake, UT

Getting a feel for the cost of living in South Salt Lake 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 South Salt Lake is 110, which is 10% 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in South Salt Lake are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of South Salt Lake can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs are a major factor in the South Salt Lake cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 24.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is South Salt Lake Affordable?

Is South Salt Lake affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take South Salt Lake, for instance, where the median home price falls 34.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with South Salt Lake flaunting a median household income of $49,616, 10.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in South Salt Lake?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In South Salt Lake, the transportation index is 10% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In South Salt Lake, the utilities index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The South Salt Lake cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in South Salt Lake is 5% higher than the Utah average
  • The cost of living in South Salt Lake is 10% higher than the national average
  • South Salt Lake housing is 25% higher than the national average
  • Utah general sales tax is 20% higher than the national average
  • Utah state income tax is 87% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around South Salt Lake

See all the best places to live around South Salt Lake

Compare South Salt Lake, 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$71,490$5,958$1,668$2,145
      Renters$38,746$3,229$904$1,162
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in South Salt Lake, 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 South Salt Lake have a median income of $71,490. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,668 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $38,746, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $904.

      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 South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.87$24.2614.0%
      Beauty Salon $50.33$45.5610.5%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.18$1.288.1%
      Movie $9.94$12.1318.1%
      Bowling $19.80$18.0010.0%

      Groceries

      Item South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.51$1.574.2%
      Milk $4.65$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $4.60$4.936.7%
      Pizza $11.69$12.093.3%
      Beer $10.59$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.19$125.680.4%
      Doctor $117.14$135.7813.7%
      Dentist $85.13$113.2924.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.89$10.652.3%
      Lipitor $528.57$468.6012.8%

      Housing

      Item South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      Home Price $248,400.00$184,700.0034.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,117.82$2,346.6932.9%
      Apartment Rent $968.00$949.002.0%

      Transportation

      Item South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.75$3.468.3%
      Tire Balancing $57.07$59.924.8%

      Utilities

      Item South Salt Lake National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $198.43$193.992.3%
      Phone $192.11$192.250.1%
      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.
      Copperton, UT8391076.6%
      Magna, UT27,0291098.8%
      Kearns, UT36,45711110.7%
      West Valley City, UT135,61011110.9%
      Taylorsville, UT59,92611312.8%
      South Salt Lake, UT25,1251109.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Balch Springs, TX25,123963.7%
      Riverside, OH25,1278910.9%
      Bloomingdale, FL25,13211413.6%
      Ridgewood, NJ25,11017978.6%
      North Tustin, CA25,147203102.6%
      South Salt Lake, UT25,1251109.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.