Utah
For Americans thinking of retiring to Utah from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in Utah run at 98.9 against a US average of 100, with housing at 107.8. We cover Utah's 29 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and no town in depth yet.
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
Utah is not compared with a town — compare two towns instead. Why?
Utah, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
Utah's 29 counties
Every county in Utah on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
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- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
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- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
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- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
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- Bottom fifth of US counties
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Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 29 counties, with their figures
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Beaver County
7,301 residents, 1,278 aged 65 or older (17.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,801 Lower than 87 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Beaver County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.63 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 31 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Beaver, Milford, Minersville (Census, 1 July 2024).
Beaver County page → -
Box Elder County
65,320 residents, 9,392 aged 65 or older (14.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,097 Lower than 80 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Box Elder County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.71 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 28 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Brigham City, Tremonton, Perry (Census, 1 July 2024).
Box Elder County page → -
Cache County
145,000 residents, 16,185 aged 65 or older (11.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 95.9 Cheaper than 20 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Logan, UT-ID metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,976 Lower than 83 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Cache County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.10 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 69 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Logan, Smithfield, North Logan (Census, 1 July 2024).
Cache County page → -
Carbon County
20,680 residents, 4,262 aged 65 or older (20.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,527 Lower than 66 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Carbon County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.94 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 82 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Price, Helper, Wellington (Census, 1 July 2024).
Carbon County page → -
Daggett County
934 residents, 284 aged 65 or older (30.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,009 Lower than 82 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Daggett County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.06 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 72 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Manila, Dutch John (Census, 1 July 2024).
Daggett County page → -
Davis County
381,227 residents, 47,019 aged 65 or older (12.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.3 Cheaper than 8 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Ogden, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,237 Lower than 76 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 3 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Davis County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.19 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 60 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Layton, Bountiful, Syracuse (Census, 1 July 2024).
Davis County page → -
Duchesne County
20,856 residents, 3,197 aged 65 or older (15.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,541 Lower than 66 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Duchesne County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.77 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 94 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Roosevelt, Duchesne, Myton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Duchesne County page → -
Emery County
10,177 residents, 2,051 aged 65 or older (20.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,552 Lower than 66 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Emery County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.72 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 95 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Huntington, Castle Dale, Ferron (Census, 1 July 2024).
Emery County page → -
Garfield County
5,256 residents, 1,387 aged 65 or older (26.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,632 Lower than 90 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Garfield County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.18 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 61 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Panguitch, Escalante, Tropic (Census, 1 July 2024).
Garfield County page → -
Grand County
9,790 residents, 2,108 aged 65 or older (21.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,831 Lower than 87 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Grand County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.18 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 61 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Moab, Castle Valley (Census, 1 July 2024).
Grand County page → -
Iron County
67,141 residents, 10,297 aged 65 or older (15.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,831 Lower than 87 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Iron County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.71 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 28 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,990 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Cedar City, Enoch, Parowan (Census, 1 July 2024).
Iron County page → -
Juab County
13,567 residents, 1,850 aged 65 or older (13.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.2 Cheaper than 12 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,967 Lower than 83 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Juab County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.19 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 15 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Nephi, Mona, Rocky Ridge (Census, 1 July 2024).
Juab County page → -
Kane County
8,597 residents, 2,296 aged 65 or older (26.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,780 Lower than 88 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Kane County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.04 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 75 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Kanab, Orderville, Big Water (Census, 1 July 2024).
Kane County page → -
Millard County
14,057 residents, 2,633 aged 65 or older (18.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,179 Lower than 77 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Millard County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.08 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 70 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Delta, Fillmore, Hinckley (Census, 1 July 2024).
Millard County page → -
Morgan County
13,383 residents, 1,862 aged 65 or older (13.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.3 Cheaper than 8 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Ogden, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,215 Lower than 77 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Morgan County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.30 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 14 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest place: Morgan (Census, 1 July 2024).
Morgan County page → -
Piute County
1,509 residents, 446 aged 65 or older (29.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,633 Lower than 90 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Piute County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.84 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 23 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $7,198 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Circleville, Marysvale, Junction (Census, 1 July 2024).
Piute County page → -
Rich County
2,687 residents, 605 aged 65 or older (22.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,291 Lower than 96 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Rich County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.88 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 87 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Garden City, Randolph, Laketown (Census, 1 July 2024).
Rich County page → -
Salt Lake County
1,220,916 residents, 158,727 aged 65 or older (13.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.9 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,280 Lower than 75 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 9 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.7 per 100,000 a year Lower than 83 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.61 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 32 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan (Census, 1 July 2024).
Salt Lake County page → -
San Juan County
14,542 residents, 2,516 aged 65 or older (17.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,183 Lower than 50 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- San Juan County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.41 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Blanding, Monticello, Bluff (Census, 1 July 2024).
San Juan County page → -
Sanpete County
31,453 residents, 5,247 aged 65 or older (16.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,024 Lower than 82 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Sanpete County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.07 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 71 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Manti (Census, 1 July 2024).
Sanpete County page → -
Sevier County
22,827 residents, 4,239 aged 65 or older (18.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,285 Lower than 74 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Sevier County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.34 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 49 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Richfield, Monroe, Salina (Census, 1 July 2024).
Sevier County page → -
Summit County
43,141 residents, 7,871 aged 65 or older (18.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,605 Lower than 91 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Summit County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.77 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 26 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Park City, Kamas, Francis (Census, 1 July 2024).
Summit County page → -
Tooele County
87,461 residents, 8,802 aged 65 or older (10.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.9 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,387 Lower than 71 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Tooele County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.71 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 28 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Tooele, Grantsville, Erda (Census, 1 July 2024).
Tooele County page → -
Uintah County
38,278 residents, 5,189 aged 65 or older (13.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,177 Lower than 77 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Uintah County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.48 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 99 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Vernal, Naples, Ballard (Census, 1 July 2024).
Uintah County page → -
Utah County
759,859 residents, 67,099 aged 65 or older (8.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.2 Cheaper than 12 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,932 Lower than 84 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 4 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 0.9 per 100,000 a year Lower than 100 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.76 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 26 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Provo, Orem, Lehi (Census, 1 July 2024).
Utah County page → -
Wasatch County
38,514 residents, 6,336 aged 65 or older (16.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,003 Lower than 82 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Wasatch County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.67 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 29 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Heber, Midway, Hideout (Census, 1 July 2024).
Wasatch County page → -
Washington County
213,670 residents, 47,915 aged 65 or older (22.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 97.3 Cheaper than 16 % of the other 3,142 US counties St. George, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,871 Lower than 85 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.1 per 100,000 a year Lower than 95 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.18 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 6 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: St. George, Washington, Hurricane (Census, 1 July 2024).
Washington County page → -
Wayne County
2,587 residents, 669 aged 65 or older (25.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 93.1 Cheaper than 27 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Utah nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,577 Lower than 92 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Wayne County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.03 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 76 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Loa, Bicknell, Torrey (Census, 1 July 2024).
Wayne County page → -
Weber County
278,174 residents, 38,417 aged 65 or older (13.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.3 Cheaper than 8 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Ogden, UT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,489 Lower than 68 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 87 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.35 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 48 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $6,398 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Ogden, Roy, West Haven (Census, 1 July 2024).
Weber County page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025); CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by county of residence.
Where Utah stands, on the six criteria
Utah's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 5 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of Utah, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | Utah |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
98.9 Cheaper than 40% of the other 50 · housing 107.8 · goods 96.4 · utilities 78.7 · other services 99.0
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $2,198 (90% margin USD $2,189–$2,207) Lower than 78% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
87 % of residents 65+ Higher than 86% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
2.5 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 2.2–2.7) Lower than 92% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
3.3 months a year More than 2% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $1.61 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 30% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in Utah
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in Utah, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
USD $4,870 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,870)
At most USD $17,720 in a bad year (from USD $14,270), with each person's in-network out-of-pocket maximum
The middle of the 22 plans offered here; "from" is the lowest premium among them.
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $6,398 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,997)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 8 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of Utah's 29 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025); 2 have no Advantage plan and are left out of that column.
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Since May 7, 2025, Utah gives Medigap policyholders an annual 60-day election period beginning on their birthday to move, without underwriting, to a plan of equal or lesser benefit value offered by their current insurer. Utah's rule
Free, official Medicare counseling in Utah: Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP), 1-800-541-7735 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to Utah: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to Utah, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
- Healthcare access: higher than 86% of the other 50 (87 % of residents 65+). CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
- Safety: lower than 92% of the other 50 (2.5 per 100,000 a year). CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence
Cons
- Climate: fewer than 98% of the other 50 (3.3 months a year). CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
Also shown, not scored
Utah's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of Utah — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
3,538,904 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
460,179 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
13.8 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in Utah
We apply Utah's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
Utah's rules applied
| Social Security taxable federally (IRC §86) IRS Publication 915, Social Security benefits worksheet (IRC §86) | USD $25,975 |
|---|---|
| Federal adjusted gross income IRS Publication 915, Social Security benefits worksheet (IRC §86) | USD $70,975 |
| State adjusted gross income Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | USD $70,975 |
| Taxable income Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | USD $70,975 |
| Tax at the 2025 rates Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | USD $3,194 |
| Taxpayer tax credit: 6 % of the federal standard deduction (USD $31,500), less 1.3 % of income over USD $36,426 Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | − USD $1,441 |
| Taxpayer tax credit on the federal 65+ standard deduction: 6 % of USD $1,600 each IRS, 2025 Instructions for Form 1040, standard deduction charts | − USD $192 |
| Social Security benefits credit: 4.5 % of the taxable benefit Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | − USD $1,169 |
| State income tax Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions | USD $392 |
| Property tax on a USD $350,000 home, at the state's median taxes paid ÷ median home value US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25103 | USD $1,806 |
| State and local tax, a year | USD $2,198 |
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- Top income-tax rate: 4.5 % Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Taxpayer tax credit: 6 % of the federal standard deduction (USD $31,500), less 1.3 % of income over USD $36,426: USD $1,890 Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Taxpayer tax credit on the federal 65+ standard deduction: 6 % of USD $1,600 each: USD $96 per person, from age 65 IRS, 2025 Instructions for Form 1040, standard deduction charts · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Social Security benefits credit: 4.5 % of the taxable benefit: 4.5 % Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
We don't cover a town in Utah yet. See the towns we cover in the United States.
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