Compare states / Utah
UT
Compare Utah with other states
Utah is a mid-sized Western state: about 3.6 million residents, the 30th-largest population, at 44 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 4.5%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.48% is tied for the 3rd-lowest among the 50 states. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $545,331 is the 7th-highest nationally. It has 5 national parks, the 3rd-most in the country.
Data: Utah (tax.utah.gov, dmv.utah.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 4.5% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 7.42% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.48% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Social Security is included in income. A nonrefundable credit of 4.5% of federally taxable benefits phases out above modified income of $54,000 (single) or $90,000 (joint). Cannot be claimed with the retirement credit. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $545,331 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.10% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $6.00 |
| Registration (base) | $44.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 46 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 5 |
| Population | 3,574,825 |
| Population density | 44.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 75.7% White (non-Hispanic) 15.1% Hispanic 1.2% Black 2.6% Asian |
| Violent crime | 229.6 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Utah
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 4.5%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Utah
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.10% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Utah
- Get a UT driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Utah.
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Utah elections site.
- Nurse license: Utah is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Utah: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Utah compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 4.5% in Utah vs 13.3% in California (lower in Utah).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Utah are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Utah Social Security tax.
- Estate tax. Utah has no state estate tax (UT tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Utah has no state inheritance tax (UT tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Utah $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Utah 6.10%.
- State parks. Utah 46. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; UT 5).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (UT).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Utah 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Utah 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled