Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Salt Lake City, UT?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 73.7% more expensive than Salt Lake City, UT. This translates to spending an extra $5531 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Salt Lake City, UT, you'd need approximately $216,369.28 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 206.2% more expensive than in Salt Lake City, UT. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,400/month in Salt Lake City, UT.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5531 more per month than Salt Lake City, UT, or $66369 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Salt Lake City, UT vs Los Angeles, CA: 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 Salt Lake City, UT

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.5K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $216.4K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Salt Lake City, UT area

Overall Cost

↑ 73.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,531

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$66.4K

Per year

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

Salt Lake City, UT

Population:210K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$518K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

174

(74% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Salt Lake City, UT

The Beehive State

210K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Salt Lake City, UT vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Salt Lake City, UT	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,531/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,218more	206.2%
Transportation	$1,247/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $911more	73.1%
Groceries	$950/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $90.29more	9.5%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$557/mo	↑ $85.60more	18.1%
Healthcare	$625/mo	$554/mo	↓ $71.16less	11.4%
Other	$1,670/mo	$1,731/mo	↑ $61.19more	3.7%

Housing

↑ 206.2%

Salt Lake City, UT

$2,531

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,218

Transportation

↑ 73.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,247

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$911

Groceries

↑ 9.5%

Salt Lake City, UT

$950

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$90.29

All Utilities

↑ 18.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$472

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$85.60

Healthcare

↓ 11.4%

Salt Lake City, UT

$625

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$71.16

less

Other

↑ 3.7%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,670

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$61.19

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,008

To$1,910

↑ $902

1 Bed

From$1,168

To$2,135

↑ $967

2 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,660

↑ $1,260

3 Bed

From$1,872

To$3,370

↑ $1,498

Salt Lake City, UTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,820/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$7,494

Monthly in Salt Lake City, UT

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$6,296

Difference

Home Values

Salt Lake City

Los Angeles

$518K

Median Value

$885K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +30.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$400K - $902K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 71% more expensive than Salt Lake City

Calculate payment - Salt Lake City Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$279

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

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

Los Angeles, 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

Additional Tax Information

Salt Lake City, UT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.