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Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Salt Lake City is 21% cheaper than Sacramento overall.Sacramento has a cost of living index of 140 vs Salt Lake City at 110 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Sacramento costs 33% more.

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Sacramento
CA
140
COLI index
VS
Salt Lake City
UT
110
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategorySacramentoSalt Lake CityDifference
Overall COLI140110-21%
Housing215145-33%
Groceries111103-7%
Transport113108-4%
Healthcare105104-1%
Utilities11892-22%

Median 1BR Rent

Sacramento
$1,750/mo
Salt Lake City
$1,450/mo

Median Home Price

Sacramento
$480,000
Salt Lake City
$460,000

Median Household Income

Sacramento
$73,198
Salt Lake City
$72,408

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Frequently Asked Questions

Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in overall. Sacramento has a cost of living index of 140 while Salt Lake City has an index of 110, where 100 represents the US national average. Salt Lake City is 21% cheaper than Sacramento overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Sacramento is $1,750 per month compared to $1,450 in Salt Lake City. The median home price in Sacramento is $480,000 versus $460,000 in Salt Lake City. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Sacramento has a cost of living index of 140 and Salt Lake City has an index of 110, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Sacramento, multiply by 0.79. For example a $75,000 salary in Sacramento is equivalent to approximately $58,929 in Salt Lake City.

Sacramento has a median household income of $73,198 per year versus $72,408 in Salt Lake City. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Sacramento to Salt Lake City is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Salt Lake City is 21% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.