Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,688 in California versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Utah runs roughly 31% cheaper on rent than California, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $83,969 in California and $74,925 in Utah — about 11% higher in California. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7.25%
6.1%
+1.2 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
4.50%
+8.8 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
$1,166
+31% in California
Median Home Value
$771,700
$495,700
+36% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$83,969
$74,925
+11% in California
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
52.8°F
+11.6°F in California
California vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in California or Utah?
- Utah is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,166 runs about 31% below California's $1,688, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in California than in Utah?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in California versus $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, California or Utah?
- California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 9/1 cities we track in California/Utah — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.