Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

New York is 42% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$1,779/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 25%
$79,713/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 6%
$751,700 ↑ 52%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 34%
$1,837/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 24%
8,516,202
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.65%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $436/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $5,232/year.

Median household income is $4,788/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 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

New York vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is New York 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 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $436/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $4,788/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Utah?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Salt Lake City details →

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