Utah
100.6
composite · rank #29
- Housing
- 110.8
- Grocery
- 98.6
- Utilities
- 84.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Utah vs Colorado Cost of Living
Utah has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Utah is lower
1.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Colorado is roughly $98,821 in Utah.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Colorado
101.8
composite · rank #34
- Housing
- 107.4
- Grocery
- 100.9
- Utilities
- 88.7
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Utah | Colorado | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 98.6 | 100.9 | Utah |
| Housing | 110.8 | 107.4 | Colorado |
| Utilities | 84.4 | 88.7 | Utah |
| Transportation | 96.2 | 89.1 | Colorado |
| Health care | 89.9 | 103.9 | Utah |
| Misc. goods & services | 99.2 | 103.5 | Utah |
Grocery
Utah98.6
Colorado100.9
Lower cost: Utah
Housing
Utah110.8
Colorado107.4
Lower cost: Colorado
Utilities
Utah84.4
Colorado88.7
Lower cost: Utah
Transportation
Utah96.2
Colorado89.1
Lower cost: Colorado
Health care
Utah89.9
Colorado103.9
Lower cost: Utah
Misc. goods & services
Utah99.2
Colorado103.5
Lower cost: Utah
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Colorado | Needed in Utah |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,596 | $49,411 |
| $75,000 | $75,895 | $74,116 |
| $100,000 | $101,193 | $98,821 |
| $150,000 | $151,789 | $148,232 |
| $250,000 | $252,982 | $247,053 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Colorado$50,596
In Utah$49,411
$75,000 origin salary
In Colorado$75,895
In Utah$74,116
$100,000 origin salary
In Colorado$101,193
In Utah$98,821
$150,000 origin salary
In Colorado$151,789
In Utah$148,232
Housing gap
Utah housing is 110.8; Colorado is 107.4.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Utah is roughly $101,193 in Colorado.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Utah vs Colorado cost of living FAQs
Utah has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. The composite indexes are 100.6 in Utah and 101.8 in Colorado (US average = 100).
About $101,193 in Colorado would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Utah, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,821 in Utah would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Colorado.
Housing indexes are 110.8 in Utah and 107.4 in Colorado. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Utah has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.