City Comparison

Orem vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Orem

Utah
117
Above Average
$528,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$86,000
Median Income

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.2%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to $58,974 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
147
Orem
82
Yuma
Groceries
98
Orem
101
Yuma
Utilities
92
Orem
102
Yuma
Transportation
108
Orem
97
Yuma
Healthcare
95
Orem
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Orem has the same purchasing power as $58,974 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $95,380 in Orem.

Living in Orem vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Orem's housing index of 147 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $528,000 vs $284,000. The $244,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,864 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Orem compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Orem and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Orem vs $480/month in Yuma. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Orem and 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Orem vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Orem and 87 in Yuma. 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 $86,000 in Orem and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,504 and $58,804 respectively. Orem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,007/month to housing in Orem vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,974 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Orem's housing index is 147 with median homes at $528,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases