Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Salt Lake City, UT is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,231/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,747/mo in Salt Lake City.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Salt Lake City?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $76,500/year in Salt Lake City, UT — a difference of about $28,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles or Salt Lake City cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Salt Lake City, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $9,707/month in Salt Lake City, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles or Salt Lake City?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Salt Lake City costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Los Angeles49	Salt Lake City56
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$4,098
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$9,707
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$76,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,747
Median home value	$879,500	$495,700
Median household income	$80,366	$74,925
Unemployment	5.3%	3.5%
Housing score	1	27
Jobs score	20	82
Safety score	47	10
Climate score	100	78
Amenities score	100	50
Population	3.9M	203.9K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	93° / 22°

Los Angeles, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT