Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Irvine is 119% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$2,893/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 54%
$129,647/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 42%
$1,115,400 ↑ 125%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 56%
$2,904/mo ↑ 108%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 52%
308,160
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,550/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $18,600/year.

Median household income is $54,722/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Irvine or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $1,550/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $54,722/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Salt Lake City details →

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