CostIndexUSA

Salt Lake City, UT vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableUT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Salt Lake City is moderately cheaper than Santa Ana — 12.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salt Lake City, you would need $90,100 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+38.2%
Salt Lake City
123.3
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.6%
Salt Lake City
96.4
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Salt Lake City
103.9
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Salt Lake City
94
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+100.8%
Salt Lake City
79
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$90,100
$10,100 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.1259. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salt Lake City, UT

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

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Ana has 38.2% higher housing costs compared to Salt Lake City.

Income & Job Market

Salt Lake City, UT

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

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

80% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.