Abilene vs Salt Lake City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Salt Lake City
The Verdict
Abilene is 25.2% less expensive than Salt Lake City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $100,313 in Salt Lake City to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $100,313 in Salt Lake City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $56,075 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Salt Lake City
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $440,000. The $261,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,968 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $352 in Salt Lake City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 97 in Salt Lake City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $56,626 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases