D

Moab, UT

Source:

Affordability Score: 44/100

Population: 9,772 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Moab, UT aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 9,772 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of D (44/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $68,444, median home value of $549,400, median rent of $1,127 per month, and 37.8% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,564 per month (studio $1,143, 1BR $1,303, 3BR $2,128, 4BR $2,624). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $11,895 per year, consuming 17% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages, so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are housing. Unemployment currently reads 1.5% and poverty 12.3% - numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$68,444
Median household income
Education B-
37.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
8.0x
Home value $549,400 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent C
$1,564/mo
2BR fair market rent (27% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$11,895/yr
Center-based infant care (17% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$68,444
▲ 10% vs national
Per Capita Income
$41,087
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
Poverty Rate
12.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
$549,400
▲ 100% vs national
Median Rent
$1,127/mo
Owner Occupied
71.7%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,564/mo
▲ 30% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,143
1BR
$1,303
2BR
$1,564
3BR
$2,128
4BR
$2,624

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
-
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
37.8%
▲ 8 ppt vs national
High School+
59.0%
Median Age
40.6
Avg. Commute
-

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$11,895/yr
17% of income
Toddler (Center)
$9,735/yr
Preschool (Center)
$8,820/yr
School-Age (Center)
$8,625/yr

What This Means

Moab, UT receives an overall affordability grade of D (44/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 9,772. Challenges include housing. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Moab, UT affordable?
Moab, UT receives an overall affordability grade of D (44/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $68,444. Median home value is $549,400.
What is the cost of living in Moab?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,127/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,564/mo. Infant childcare $11,895/yr. Median home value $549,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →