Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Salt Lake City

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Salt Lake City, you'd need:

$69,271

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Salt Lake City 118.5
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079
Salt Lake City $32,530

Salt Lake City

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,496
Rent (2BR) -$20,964
Net Income $38,540

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$70,731

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $1,995 more per year in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos compared to Salt Lake City. You'd pay $3,255 more in taxes in Salt Lake City, while housing costs 6% less. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Salt Lake City is 18% above avg, making Salt Lake City the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $69,271 in Salt Lake City once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Salt Lake City has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Salt Lake City ($22,621 vs $15,142 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Salt Lake City
Schools
541
340
Enrollment
345,378
237,888
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.8%
16.2%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Salt Lake City
Institutions
31
26
In-State Tuition
$22,621
$15,142
Out-of-State
$28,276
$17,639
Grad Rate
58.5%
63.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 118.5 (national average = 100).

What salary in Salt Lake City equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

You would need to earn approximately $69,271 in Salt Lake City to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Salt Lake City?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $20,964 in Salt Lake City—housing is 6% less in Salt Lake City.