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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

San Francisco is 128% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$2,419/mo ↑ 80%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 44%
$141,446/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 47%
$1,380,500 ↑ 178%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 64%
$2,620/mo ↑ 88%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 47%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,076/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $12,912/year.

Median household income is $66,521/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is San Francisco 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 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $1,076/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $66,521/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

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