Salt Lake City vs Honolulu: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Salt Lake City, Utah compare to Honolulu, Hawaii? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Salt Lake City is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 43% lower in Salt Lake City compared to Honolulu, while rent is 28% lower. State income tax is 4.65% in UT vs 11% in HI.
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Honolulu, HI | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $458,600 | $805,500 | -43.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,254 | $1,734 | -27.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $72,357 | $82,772 | -12.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,972 | $45,784 | +2.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.7% | 11.0% | -57.7% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.2% | 4.4% | +61.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 201,269 | 348,547 | -42.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Salt Lake City
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Honolulu
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Salt Lake City costs $458,600 compared to $805,500 in Honolulu — a 43% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,254/mo in Salt Lake City vs $1,734/mo in Honolulu.
- Income: Median household income is $72,357 in Salt Lake City and $82,772 in Honolulu.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.65% in Utah vs 11% in Hawaii.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).