CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Salt Lake City, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableUT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Salt Lake City is slightly cheaper than Anchorage — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $76,600 in Salt Lake City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+12.2%
Anchorage
109.9
Salt Lake City
123.3
🛒 Groceries10.2%
Anchorage
107.3
Salt Lake City
96.4
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Anchorage
108.5
Salt Lake City
103.9
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Anchorage
98.2
Salt Lake City
94
Utilities29.3%
Anchorage
111.8
Salt Lake City
79

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Salt Lake City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Salt Lake City

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9573. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

Salt Lake City has 12.2% higher housing costs compared to Anchorage.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.