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City Housing Verdict

South Salt Lake, UT

High Pressure

The cost of living in South Salt Lake, UT is 12% above the national average (Cost Index: 112). Homes here are typically valued around $437,779, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $68,035 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

South Salt Lake already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 23% rent burden, 6.4x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 144. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for South Salt Lake.

Monthly Housing
$1,329/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
23%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,841/mo
After housing and debt · $1,280/person
Rent vs Buy
Rent first
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 32%
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Cost Index
112
Expensive
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$437,779
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $390,400
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,329/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$68,035
National: $78,538
Population
26,277
Purchasing Power
77
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
144 / 100
44% above average
Rent Index
99 / 100
Close to average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
79 / 100
21% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
112
Expensive · 12% above average

South Salt Lake Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $437,779 and Utah's property tax rate of 0.58%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$68,035
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
23%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
6.4x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether South Salt Lake looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in South Salt Lake, UT

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,539
Monthly Impact
$212
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.58%
National avg: ~1.00%

Utah Place Tax Context

Tax TypeUtahNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.58%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4.65%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.19%~5.0%

Compare South Salt Lake to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

South Salt Lake, UT
112
99
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
South Salt Lake, UT: 144
Rent Prices
99

FAQ: Living in South Salt Lake

Is South Salt Lake, UT an expensive place to live?+

Yes — South Salt Lake is about 12% more expensive than the national average, with an overall Cost Index of 112. Housing is the biggest factor: the typical home here is valued around $437,779, and monthly rents average roughly $1,329. Day-to-day costs like groceries and utilities tend to run closer to the national norm.

How does South Salt Lake fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,329, while local median household income is $68,035. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 23% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in South Salt Lake, UT?+

Utah has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.65%. The effective property tax rate is 0.58%. On a home worth $437,779, that translates to roughly $2,539 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.19% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in South Salt Lake, UT?+

The typical monthly rent in South Salt Lake is around $1,329. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $437,779, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in South Salt Lake, UT?+

The median home in South Salt Lake is valued at $437,779. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $2,214/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 38% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in South Salt Lake?+

Grocery prices in South Salt Lake are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 79). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is South Salt Lake, UT like to live in?+

South Salt Lake is a small town with a population of about 26,277. The median age of residents is 31.5, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 15.51%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Utah

If South Salt Lake feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Utah

Use these city pages when you want to compare South Salt Lake against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly