B+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Payson Utah National
Cost of living109104100
Goods & Services102102100
Groceries9899100
Health care9691100
Housing130114100
Transportation107105100
Utilities9195100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Payson, UT

Understanding the cost of living in Payson can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Payson cost of living index is 109, which is 9% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Payson is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Housing costs significantly influence the Payson cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 29.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Payson Affordable?

Is Payson affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Payson, for instance, where the median home price falls 35.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 16.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Payson flaunting a median household income of $69,014, 24.7% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Payson?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Payson, the groceries index registers 1.7% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Payson, the utilities index stands at 8.8% lower than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Payson, is 29.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Payson, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Payson is 4% higher than the Utah average
  • The cost of living in Payson is 9% higher than the national average
  • Payson housing is 30% higher than the national average
  • Utah general sales tax is 20% higher than the national average
  • Utah state income tax is 87% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Payson

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Compare Payson, UT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$75,565$6,297$1,763$2,267
      Renters$43,292$3,608$1,010$1,299
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Payson, UT, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Payson, homeowners have a median income of $75,565. Using that number, a maximum of $1,763 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $43,292, which means there is a maximum of $1,010 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Utah Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Utah 6.1% 8.35%

      Utah Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Utah 4.85% 4.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.85$24.2614.1%
      Beauty Salon $48.42$45.566.3%
      Toothpaste $3.58$3.703.4%
      Shampoo $1.18$1.287.6%
      Movie $12.31$12.131.5%
      Bowling $20.93$18.0016.3%

      Groceries

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.9%
      Milk $4.62$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.61$4.936.6%
      Pizza $12.02$12.090.5%
      Beer $10.69$10.412.6%

      Health Care

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.08$125.685.3%
      Doctor $128.07$135.785.7%
      Dentist $99.10$113.2912.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.51$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $546.75$468.6016.7%

      Housing

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $250,700.00$184,700.0035.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,790.73$2,346.6918.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,103.00$949.0016.2%

      Transportation

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.58$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $69.63$59.9216.2%

      Utilities

      Item Payson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $165.50$193.9914.7%
      Phone $192.69$192.250.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rocky Ridge, UT1,0691043.8%
      Goshen, UT9291044.2%
      Santaquin, UT12,27611111.3%
      Provo, UT116,88611212.4%
      Springville, UT33,25111413.9%
      Payson, UT20,1811098.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Nogales, AZ20,182946.3%
      Mountain Brook, AL20,17816059.6%
      Kinston, NC20,1738713.2%
      Kirkland, QC20,189n/a 
      La Crescenta-Montrose, CA20,17119695.8%
      Payson, UT20,1811098.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.