Boston vs Salt Lake City: cost of living compared
Salt Lake City is 33% cheaper than Boston overall. State income tax tops out around 4.65% in UT vs 5% in MA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Comparing Boston and Salt Lake City reveals a significant difference in overall cost of living. Boston is considerably more expensive across nearly all categories, with its higher costs driven primarily by housing. Salt Lake City, in contrast, offers a much more affordable lifestyle, with its overall expenses being closer to the national average. This disparity means a household budget will stretch much further in Utah's capital.
Housing
Housing costs present the most dramatic difference between these two cities. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Boston, where prices are among the highest in the nation. Salt Lake City offers notably more accessible housing, with both median home prices and rental rates being considerably lower. Boston's housing stock often includes older, multi-family structures, while Salt Lake City has a mix of newer and older homes.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also vary significantly. Salt Lake City offers lower costs for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities compared to Boston, where these categories are all notably higher. While both states have income taxes, Boston's state income tax rate is slightly higher. This means that everyday spending on essentials will generally require a much larger portion of income in Boston than in Salt Lake City.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move between these metros brings distinct lifestyle changes. Boston is a dense, historic East Coast city with a well-developed public transit system and a colder, wetter climate. Salt Lake City, nestled in a mountain valley, offers a drier, four-season climate with a focus on outdoor activities and a more car-dependent transportation network, though public transit exists. Commute times are generally shorter in Salt Lake City.
Bottom line
For those considering a move, the financial implications are clear: Salt Lake City offers a substantially more affordable cost of living across the board, particularly in housing. While Boston provides a distinct urban experience with historical depth and extensive public transport, its higher expenses mean a household budget will need to be considerably larger to maintain a similar standard of living compared to Salt Lake City.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 162 | 108 |
| Housing index | 194 | 127 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 89 |
| Food index | 115 | 98 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 98 |
| Utilities index | 135 | 95 |
| Misc index | 122 | 95 |
| Median home price | $698,000 | $498,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,850/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Average commute | 32 min | 24 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Salt Lake City home with the True Cost Calculator.