The 84078 zip code in Vernal tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Utah.
We looked at 90 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Utah
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernal 🥇 | 100 | $322,998 | $1,400 |
| 2 | Tremonton🥈 | 89.8 | $417,407 | $1,050 |
| 3 | Ogden 🥉 | 89.8 | $437,888 | $1,265 |
| 4 | Roosevelt | 89.2 | $337,337 | $1,816 |
| 5 | Payson | 88.4 | $492,987 | $1,458 |
| 6 | Tooele | 88.1 | $453,920 | $1,730 |
| 7 | Washington Terrace | 86.1 | $444,019 | $1,541 |
| 8 | Price | 84.6 | $285,857 | $1,816 |
| 9 | Orem | 83.5 | $565,117 | $1,392 |
| 10 | American Fork | 81.6 | $607,308 | $1,647 |
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1. Vernal
Here's why the 84078 zip code in Vernal is Utah's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Vernal
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $322,998[1] | No. 2 | -$223,316.13 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.6 | No. 2 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 66.5%[2] | No. 85 | 10.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.9%[3] | No. 87 | 0.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,400[4] | No. 7 | -$416 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.98% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $70,694[5] | No. 71 | -$20,681 |
| Property taxes | $1,442[6] | No. 3 | -$856 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Vernal's 84078 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Utah, leading the 90 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $322,998, making it the 2nd-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.9% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,400 per month, which is the 30th cheapest amount in Utah.
The median property tax for homeowners in Vernal is $1,442 per household, the No. 3 ranked market in Utah.
Residents pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 1 among Utah markets.
2. Tremonton
The 84337 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Utah.
🔎 Key data about Tremonton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.8 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $417,407[8] | No. 7 | -$128,906.68 |
| Home affordability ratio | 6.0 | No. 53 | 0.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 68.3%[9] | No. 87 | 12.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.3%[10] | No. 65 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,050[11] | No. 1 | -$766 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.52% | No. 5 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $69,135[12] | No. 72 | -$22,240 |
| Property taxes | $1,576[13] | No. 6 | -$722 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[14] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Tremonton's 84337 zip code has a median home value of $417,407, which is the 65th-cheapest housing market in Utah. You can rent for an average of $1,050 per month. That's the 1st-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $69,135, which ranks 72nd-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Tremonton pay a median property tax of $1,576 per year, making it the 6th-most affordable market in Utah.
Tremonton ranks No. 1 among Utah energy markets. You'll pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
3. Ogden
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Utah is Ogden's 84403 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Ogden
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.8 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $437,888[15] | No. 15 | -$108,425.74 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.4 | No. 30 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 65.2%[16] | No. 80 | 9.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.3%[17] | No. 65 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,265[18] | No. 3 | -$550 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.57% | No. 6 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $80,749[19] | No. 59 | -$10,626 |
| Property taxes | $2,415[20] | No. 57 | $117 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[21] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The No. 15 cheapest housing in Utah is Ogden's 84403 zip code, with a median home value of $437,888. Rents in the market average $1,265 per month, making it the 3rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Ogden is $2,415, which makes it the 57th-cheapest place in Utah. Ogden ranks No. 1 among Utah markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
4. Roosevelt
The 84066 zip code in Roosevelt comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Utah.
🔎 Key data about Roosevelt
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.2 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $337,337[22] | No. 3 | -$208,977.35 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 6 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 68.9%[23] | No. 88 | 12.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[24] | No. 57 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,816[25] | No. 44 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.99% | No. 31 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $70,811[26] | No. 70 | -$20,564 |
| Property taxes | $1,594[27] | No. 8 | -$704 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[28] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The No. 3 cheapest housing market in Utah is Roosevelt's 84066 zip code, where the median home value is $337,337. Renters here pay an average of $1,816 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Roosevelt ranks 1st among Utah markets. Residents pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $1,594, which makes it the 8th-cheapest market in Utah.
5. Payson
The 84651 zip code in Payson ranks No. 5 among Utah's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Payson
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.4 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $492,987[29] | No. 37 | -$53,326.76 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.4 | No. 31 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 55.3%[30] | No. 46 | -0.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.1%[31] | No. 37 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,458[32] | No. 13 | -$358 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.61% | No. 9 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $90,774[33] | No. 45 | -$601 |
| Property taxes | $1,824[34] | No. 18 | -$474 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[35] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Payson's 84651 zip code has a median home value of $492,987, the 37th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.1% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Payson is $1,824. It's the 18th-cheapest market by tax rate in Utah.
6. Tooele
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Utah is the 84074 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Tooele
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.1 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $453,920[36] | No. 24 | -$92,393.86 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.7 | No. 5 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 60.0%[37] | No. 69 | 3.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.2%[38] | No. 1 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,730[39] | No. 33 | -$86 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.80% | No. 16 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $96,165[40] | No. 32 | $4,790 |
| Property taxes | $2,040[41] | No. 35 | -$258 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[42] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Tooele's 84074 zip code, which has the 24th-cheapest home values in Utah. The median home value is $453,920. Rents average $1,730 per month, making it the 33rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity. It's the 1st-cheapest energy market.
7. Washington Terrace
Washington Terrace's 84405 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Utah.
🔎 Key data about Washington Terrace
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.1 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $444,019[43] | No. 21 | -$102,295.24 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.2 | No. 20 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 58.5%[44] | No. 62 | 2.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.3%[45] | No. 65 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,541[46] | No. 18 | -$275 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.82% | No. 20 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $84,752[47] | No. 53 | -$6,623 |
| Property taxes | $1,996[48] | No. 33 | -$302 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[49] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 21st-cheapest home values in Utah in Washington Terrace's 84405 zip code. The median value: $444,019. Renters in Washington Terrace pay an average of $1,541 per month.
Homeowners in Washington Terrace pay a median property tax of $1,996 per year, which is Utah's 33rd-most affordable market.
The average household income is $84,752, which ranks 53rd-highest in the state.
8. Price
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Utah is Price's 84501 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Price
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.6 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $285,857[50] | No. 1 | -$260,457.43 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.4 | No. 29 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 77.0%[51] | No. 90 | 20.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.7%[52] | No. 88 | 1.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,816[53] | No. 44 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.99% | No. 31 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $52,772[54] | No. 87 | -$38,603 |
| Property taxes | $1,381[55] | No. 2 | -$917 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[56] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 1st-cheapest housing market in Utah is Price's 84501 zip code, with a median home value of $285,857. Renters pay an average of $1,816 per month, the No. 44 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Price is $1,381, which makes it the 2nd-cheapest place in Utah. The average household income of $52,772 ranks 87th.
9. Orem
Orem's 84097 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Utah's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Orem
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.5 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $565,117[57] | No. 58 | $18,803.28 |
| Home affordability ratio | 6.1 | No. 54 | 0.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 53.4%[58] | No. 30 | -2.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.1%[59] | No. 37 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,392[60] | No. 6 | -$424 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.50% | No. 4 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $92,542[61] | No. 43 | $1,167 |
| Property taxes | $1,960[62] | No. 30 | -$338 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[63] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 58th-cheapest housing market in Utah is Orem's 84097 zip code, where the median home value is $565,117. Renters pay an average of $1,392 per month. It's the state's 6th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $1,960, which makes it the 30th-cheapest property tax rate in Utah.
10. American Fork
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Utah goes to the 84003 zip code in American Fork.
🔎 Key data about American Fork
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 90 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 81.6 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $607,308[64] | No. 69 | $60,994.25 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.5 | No. 32 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 52.3%[65] | No. 23 | -3.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.1%[66] | No. 37 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,647[67] | No. 26 | -$169 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.48% | No. 3 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $111,339[68] | No. 22 | $19,964 |
| Property taxes | $2,291[69] | No. 50 | -$7 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[70] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 69th-most affordable market in Utah is American Fork's 84003 zip code. The median home value is $607,308. Rent in the market costs $1,647 per month on average, making it the 26th-most affordable rental market in Utah.
The median property tax for households in American Fork is $2,291, which is the 50th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
American Fork ranks No. 1 among Utah markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Utah
We evaluated 90 zip codes in Utah with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
Methodology: What is an Affordability Score?
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Utah, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Utah average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Utah average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
