Is Salt Lake City, UT cheaper than Oakland, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Salt Lake City, UT is 50.4% cheaper than Oakland, CA. This translates to saving $3778 per month.

What salary do I need in Salt Lake City, UT to live like I do in Oakland, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Oakland, CA, you'd need approximately $104,661.786 in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Oakland, CA and Salt Lake City, UT?

Housing in Salt Lake City, UT is 73.8% cheaper than in Oakland, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,400/month in Salt Lake City, UT compared to $2,420/month in Oakland, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Oakland, CA to Salt Lake City, UT?

Moving from Oakland, CA to Salt Lake City, UT could save you approximately $3778 per month, or $45338 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Oakland, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Oakland, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.8K/month moving to Salt Lake City, UT

$150.0K in your current city equals $104.7K in Salt Lake City, UT

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 50.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,778

Savings

Annual Impact

$45.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Oakland, CA

Population:441K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$575K

Salt Lake City, UT

Population:210K

Cost Index:

(50% below avg)

Median Home:$518K

Oakland, CA

The Golden State

441K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 441K residents.

Salt Lake City, UT

The Beehive State

210K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Utah, this city has a population of 210K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Oakland, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT

Category	Oakland, CA	Salt Lake City, UT	Difference	Change
Housing	$9,667/mo	$2,531/mo	↓ $7,136less	73.8%
Groceries	$1,129/mo	$950/mo	↓ $179less	15.9%
Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,247/mo	↓ $160less	11.4%
Other	$1,825/mo	$1,670/mo	↓ $155less	8.5%
Healthcare	$706/mo	$625/mo	↓ $81.26less	11.5%
All Utilities	$464/mo	$472/mo	↑ $7.29more	1.6%

Housing

↓ 73.8%

Oakland, CA

$9,667

Salt Lake City, UT

$2,531

Difference

$7,136

less

Groceries

↓ 15.9%

Oakland, CA

$1,129

Salt Lake City, UT

$950

Difference

$179

less

Transportation

↓ 11.4%

Oakland, CA

$1,407

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,247

Difference

$160

less

Other

↓ 8.5%

Oakland, CA

$1,825

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,670

Difference

$155

less

Healthcare

↓ 11.5%

Oakland, CA

$706

Salt Lake City, UT

$625

Difference

$81.26

less

All Utilities

↑ 1.6%

Oakland, CA

$464

Salt Lake City, UT

$472

Difference

$7.29

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,770

To$1,008

↓ $762

1 Bed

From$1,990

To$1,168

↓ $822

2 Bed

From$2,420

To$1,400

↓ $1,020

3 Bed

From$3,090

To$1,872

↓ $1,218

Oakland, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,990–$2,510/mo

Salt Lake City, UTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,820/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$15,199

Monthly in Oakland, CA

$7,494

Monthly in Salt Lake City, UT

$7,705

Difference

Home Values

Oakland

Salt Lake City

$575K

Median Value

$518K

↓ -9.5%

YoY Change

↑ +0.4%

↓ -12.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.4%

$433K - $1.10M

Price Range

$400K - $902K

Homes in Salt Lake City are 10% less expensive than Oakland

Calculate payment - Oakland Calculate payment - Salt Lake City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$279

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Oakland, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Salt Lake City, UT

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Utah State Tax

Effective: 4.9%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,809/month

$105.7K

Additional Tax Information

Oakland, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Salt Lake City, UT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.