Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,166 in Utah versus $1,332 in Washington. Overall, Utah runs roughly 12% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $74,925 in Utah and $83,857 in Washington — about 11% higher in Washington. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.1%
6.5%
+0.4 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
None
+4.5 pp in Utah
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,166
$1,332
+14% in Washington
Median Home Value
$495,700
$454,600
+8% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$74,925
$83,857
+12% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.8°F
52.1°F
+0.7°F in Utah
Utah vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Utah or Washington?
- Utah is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,166 runs about 12% below Washington's $1,332, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Utah than in Washington?
- 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 $53,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Utah or Washington?
- Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Utah/Washington — 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.