Salt Lake City vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

Cost of Living Comparison

Salt Lake City

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

To match your lifestyle in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, you'd need:

$71,443

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Salt Lake City 118.5
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 123.5
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Salt Lake City $32,530
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater $31,619

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$23,724
Net Income $39,035

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

$68,528

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $495 more per year in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater compared to Salt Lake City. You'd pay $3,255 less in taxes in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, while housing costs 13% more. The cost of living in Salt Lake City is 18% above avg, while Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater is 23% above avg, making Salt Lake City the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Salt Lake City feels like earning $71,443 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Salt Lake City ($15,142 vs $15,250 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Salt Lake City
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Schools
340
589
Enrollment
237,888
415,023
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
16.2%
15.1%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Salt Lake City
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Institutions
26
41
In-State Tuition
$15,142
$15,250
Out-of-State
$17,639
$16,986
Grad Rate
63.7%
60.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salt Lake City or Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater more expensive?

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater is more expensive with a cost of living index of 123.5 vs 118.5 (national average = 100).

What salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater equals $70,000 in Salt Lake City?

You would need to earn approximately $71,443 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Salt Lake City, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Salt Lake City vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $20,964 in Salt Lake City and $23,724 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater—housing is 13% more in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater.