Salt Lake City Housing Affordability Sharpens Contrast with 1962 Data

Salt Lake City, UT, August 27, 2026 — A recent analysis draws a stark contrast between historical housing affordability and the current market conditions in Salt Lake City. The comparison originates from an opinion piece that references a 1962 checkbook as a measure of past financial realities.

According to the comparison, housing costs in 1962 represented approximately 19% of disposable income. This figure is contrasted with the present-day Salt Lake County market, where a median-priced home is listed at $645,000. To afford such a property, the analysis indicates a need for an annual salary close to $187,000.

The current market in Salt Lake County is characterized by what the opinion piece describes as a “perfect storm.” This phrase encapsulates the dual pressures of a housing shortage and elevated prices, contributing to the significant affordability gap when compared to historical benchmarks.

Further details regarding the specific sources for the 1962 data beyond its reference as a “checkbook” were not provided. Similarly, the precise methodology or data sources used to determine the current median home price and the required salary were not elaborated upon in the summary. The nature of the “shortage” and its contributing factors, such as supply, demand, or economic influences, were also not detailed.

The opinion piece’s comparison highlights the substantial shift in the economic landscape for potential homebuyers in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area over more than six decades. The significant increase in the percentage of income required to secure housing appears to be a central theme of the analysis.

Story summarized from the original created by Jay Evensen on www.deseret.com, see more information here.