City Comparison · 2026
Salt Lake City vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Salt Lake City = $149k in Los Angeles
Metric
Salt Lake City
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.18
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,550/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,950/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
UT
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,886
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.11%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$55,286
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Salt Lake City UT | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,338 $3,945/mo · 21.1% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,886 $6,157/mo · 26.11% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,003 $8,834/mo · 29.33% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt Lake City or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Salt Lake City has a cost-of-living index of 1.18 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Salt Lake City is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Salt Lake City is $1,550/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Salt Lake City?
$100k in Salt Lake City = $149k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 49.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Salt Lake City or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,886 in UT (Salt Lake City) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $55,286 in Salt Lake City vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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