A-
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
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 Vernal Utah National
Cost of living96104100
Goods & Services99102100
Groceries10499100
Health care10991100
Housing85114100
Transportation109105100
Utilities9095100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Vernal, UT

Knowing the cost of living in Vernal allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Vernal stands at 96, marking it 4% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Vernal 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.

Is Vernal Affordable?

Is Vernal an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Vernal, the median home price is 10.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 25.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Vernal come in at $47,962, which is 13.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Vernal?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Vernal, the transportation index is 9% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Vernal, healthcare costs are 9% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Vernal, the groceries index is 4.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Vernal cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Vernal is 8% lower than the Utah average
  • The cost of living in Vernal is 4% lower than the national average
  • Vernal housing is 15% lower 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 Vernal

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Compare Vernal, 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$59,095$4,925$1,379$1,773
      Renters$37,050$3,088$864$1,112
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Vernal, UT, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Vernal, the median monthly income is $59,095 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,379 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $37,050, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $864 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Vernal National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.07$24.2611.6%
      Beauty Salon $38.50$45.5615.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.1%
      Movie $10.84$12.1310.6%
      Bowling $13.55$18.0024.7%

      Groceries

      Item Vernal National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.27$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.9%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.16$4.9315.8%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.3%
      Beer $10.74$10.413.2%

      Health Care

      Item Vernal National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.15$125.6813.9%
      Doctor $121.76$135.7810.3%
      Dentist $124.32$113.299.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $505.02$468.607.8%

      Housing

      Item Vernal National avg. Difference
      Home Price $164,500.00$184,700.0010.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,179.59$2,346.697.1%
      Apartment Rent $706.00$949.0025.6%

      Transportation

      Item Vernal National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.55$3.462.6%
      Tire Balancing $56.90$59.925.0%

      Utilities

      Item Vernal National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.81$193.9910.4%
      Phone $193.95$192.250.9%
      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.
      Jensen, UT299955.1%
      Naples, UT3,5121054.6%
      Maeser, UT4,0641055.0%
      Vernal, UT10,449964.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Tanaina, AK10,44912322.7%
      Chester, NS10,450n/a 
      Mount Sinai, NY10,44615252.4%
      Budd Lake, NJ10,44412120.6%
      Sebring, FL10,4548712.6%
      Vernal, UT10,449964.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.