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Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 31% more expensive than Salt Lake City. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City.

Rent in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio
$2,238
Salt Lake City · Studio
$1,243
Seattle is $995 (80%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · 1 bedroom
$2,293
Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom
$1,453
Seattle is $840 (58%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · 2 bedroom
$2,671
Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom
$1,748
Seattle is $923 (53%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · 3 bedroom
$3,521
Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom
$2,348
Seattle is $1,173 (50%) higher than Salt Lake City

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income
$122,148
Salt Lake City · Household income
$94,658
Seattle is $27,490 (29%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Individual earnings
$67,141
Salt Lake City · Individual earnings
$46,252
Seattle is $20,889 (45%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Per capita
$71,062
Salt Lake City · Per capita
$43,393
Seattle is $27,669 (64%) higher than Salt Lake City

Home values in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value
$811,200
Salt Lake City · Average home value
$484,500
Seattle is $326,700 (67%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Annual property tax
$6,785
Salt Lake City · Annual property tax
$2,726
Seattle is $4,059 (149%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity
$109
Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity
$90
Seattle is $19 (21%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Monthly gas
$48
Salt Lake City · Monthly gas
$50
Salt Lake City is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Annual total
$1,884
Salt Lake City · Annual total
$1,680
Seattle is $204 (12%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium
$480
Salt Lake City · Individual premium
$480
Seattle and Salt Lake City are about the same
Seattle · Family premium
$1,350
Salt Lake City · Family premium
$1,350
Seattle and Salt Lake City are about the same
Seattle · Uninsured rate
5.2%
Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate
9.6%
Salt Lake City is 4.4% (85%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax
0.0%
Salt Lake City · State income tax
4.7%
Salt Lake City is 4.7% higher than Seattle
Seattle · State sales tax
6.5%
Salt Lake City · State sales tax
6.1%
Seattle is 0.4% (7%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Combined sales tax
10.2%
Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax
7.2%
Seattle is 3.0% (42%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute
28.1 min
Salt Lake City · Average commute
22.4 min
Seattle is 5.7 min (25%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Drive alone
51.8%
Salt Lake City · Drive alone
66.8%
Salt Lake City is 15.0% (29%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Public transit
8.0%
Salt Lake City · Public transit
2.3%
Seattle is 5.7% (248%) higher than Salt Lake City

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Salt Lake City

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person
$4,588
Salt Lake City · Single person
$3,494
Seattle is $1,094 (31%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Couple
$6,424
Salt Lake City · Couple
$5,349
Seattle is $1,075 (20%) higher than Salt Lake City
Seattle · Family
$9,440
Salt Lake City · Family
$8,084
Seattle is $1,356 (17%) higher than Salt Lake City

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Salt Lake City.

Is Seattle or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah, a difference of about 31%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Salt Lake City?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,453/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Seattle is approximately $840 (58%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Salt Lake City?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year.

More on Seattle and Salt Lake City

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.