Salary Needed to Live in Salt Lake City as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $63,733/year to live comfortably in Salt Lake City, UT, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $63,733/year to live comfortably in Salt Lake City, UT. The bare-minimum salary is $55,003/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,777.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,346/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,311/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$63,733
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$55,003
$4,584/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,346
6% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Salt Lake City
| Expense | Salt Lake City | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $990 | $1,351 | -27% |
| Groceries | $266 | $207 | +29% |
| Utilities | $154 | $169 | -9% |
| Transportation | $337 | $316 | +7% |
| Car Insurance | $181 | $215 | -16% |
| Health Insurance | $707 | $642 | +10% |
| Internet | $72 | $65 | +11% |
| Phone | $94 | $85 | +11% |
| Dining & Social | $330 | $300 | +10% |
| Entertainment | $132 | $120 | +10% |
| Personal Care | $83 | $75 | +11% |
| Total Monthly | $3,346 | $3,545 | -6% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,346
Target savings (10%):$431/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,777
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$63,733
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$990
Studio/1BR rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus UT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$431/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
110/100
Salt Lake City is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $990/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $711/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $55,003/year as the survival floor and $63,733/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Salt Lake City
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Salt Lake City?
A single person needs approximately $63,733/year ($5,311/month gross) to live comfortably in Salt Lake City with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Salt Lake City?
A studio/1br in Salt Lake City costs approximately $990/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Salt Lake City affordable for a single person?
Yes, Salt Lake City is 6% more affordable than the national average for a single person.