Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,166 in Utah versus $1,195 in Virginia. Overall, Utah runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $74,925 in Utah and $64,017 in Virginia — about 15% higher in Utah. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.1%
5.3%
+0.8 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
5.75%
+1.3 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,166
$1,195
+2% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$495,700
$328,100
+34% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$74,925
$64,017
+15% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.8°F
59.9°F
+7.1°F in Virginia
Utah vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Utah or Virginia?
- Utah is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,166 runs about 2% below Virginia's $1,195, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Utah than in Virginia?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Utah versus $48,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Utah or Virginia?
- Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Utah/Virginia — 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.