Cost Index vs National Average (100)

Green = below national average · Red = above national average

Cost of Living in Utah

Utah has an overall cost of living index of 106.2, which is +6.2% above national avg. Housing is the biggest factor at an index of 122 (national average = 100). This means housing in Utah is 22% more expensive than the national average.

The cost of living index compares prices for consumer goods and services across US states. An index above 100 means living costs are higher than the national average; below 100 means lower.

Category Breakdown

Housing (122): Above national average for home prices and rent.
Groceries (102): Food costs are higher than the US average.
Healthcare (101): Medical costs are higher than national norms.
Transportation (101.5): Gas, insurance, and transit costs are higher than average.

Data Source

Cost of living data from the MERIC and ACCRA Cost of Living Index 2022, public data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a cost of living index of 100 mean?▾

An index of 100 represents the national average. If a state has an index of 120, it means living costs are 20% higher than average. An index of 85 means 15% cheaper. The index is a composite of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Is Utah expensive to live in?▾

Utah has an overall cost of living index of 106.2, placing it +6.2% above national avg. The most significant factor is housing (122), followed by healthcare (101) and groceries (102). It's close to the national average.

Which states have the lowest cost of living?▾

States with the lowest cost of living are generally in the Midwest and South: Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas consistently rank as the most affordable. States with the highest cost of living include Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska.

Does cost of living affect salaries?▾

Yes, but imperfectly. Salaries in high cost-of-living areas (like San Francisco or New York) are typically higher to compensate, but often don't fully offset the higher costs. Remote work has changed this dynamic — many workers now earn high-COL salaries while living in low-COL states.