Utah's cost of living is not dramatically higher than those of other cities of comparable size. Some costs, such as utilities, are lower. The exception is housing. Rent and home prices have jumped in the 1990s. Income has increased as well, although many advocates of low-income people say income has failed to rise enough to compensate for jumps in housing costs.
Many households have more than one wage earner.
For a family of four supported by one income to live comfortably on that amount, they would have to have no debt other than a house and car payment.