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Retirement community in Salt Lake City, Utah

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Salt Lake City, Utah Retirement Guide

39

Retirement Score

Salt Lake City, Utah at a Glance

Median Home Price
$563,300
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security taxed with income-based credit; pension income fully taxable.
Avg January Low
22°F
Cost of Living Index
94.6 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
39 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Salt Lake City, Utah, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
94.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$72,357High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Salt Lake City's cost of living is 5.400000000000006% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$563,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,316High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
47.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Salt Lake City using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,220

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,371

Median home price used: $563,300

Median rent reference: $1,316 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Salt Lake City, Utah after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
46.8 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
46.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
54.9 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Salt Lake City scores 46.8 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Salt Lake City

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Salt Lake City →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
15 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security taxed with income-based credit; pension income fully taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Utah has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
93°FLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
22°FLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
16.5"Low confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
222 daysLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026

With 222 sunny days a year and an average January low of 22°F, Salt Lake City offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
74.1 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
49.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
18.5 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
201,269High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
32.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
11.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
4.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
50.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
71.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
3.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
19.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
5.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Salt Lake City

What is the cost of living in Salt Lake City, Utah for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 95, roughly 5% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $563,300.

Does Utah tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Utah residents: State income tax; Social Security taxed with income-based credit; pension income fully taxable.

What is the climate like in Salt Lake City, Utah?▾

Salt Lake City, Utah has January average low around 22°F, July average high around 93°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Salt Lake City, Utah?▾

Salt Lake City scores 47/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

WASATCH ADVISORS LP

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ALTA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

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PHYSICIAN WEALTH ADVISORS, INC.

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