Question 1

Does Moab shut down in the winter?

Accepted Answer

Moab does not shut down in winter but it slows down meaningfully. The tourist economy quiets between November and February, with many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators running reduced hours or closing for part of the off-season. The trade-off is upside: hotel and short-term rental rates drop sharply, national park visitor numbers thin out, and locals get the town back. Year-round residents (around 5,200 people in Moab itself) keep grocery stores, utilities, schools, and essential services running normally. Winter weather is cold but mild compared to most of Utah: average lows in the 20s°F, modest snowfall. Long-term rents do not move much seasonally, but short-term rates often halve. For the full cost picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 2

How much is $100,000 a year after taxes in Utah?

Accepted Answer

$100,000 a year nets roughly $74,000 to $76,000 after federal and Utah state tax, or about $6,200 a month. Utah's state income tax is a flat 4.65 percent, simpler than progressive states. CostLiving's moderate single-person benchmark in Utah is $3,500 a month, so $6,200 leaves about $2,700 of monthly slack, well into comfortable-tier territory and into luxury for one person willing to live modestly. For a two-person household, $100,000 sits above the moderate household threshold and lands solidly comfortable, with room for savings. In Moab specifically, where the moderate benchmark also sits at $3,500, the same math applies. For the full picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 3

Is Moab a good place to retire?

Accepted Answer

Moab works well for retirees who prioritise outdoor access and quiet, less well for those who want full healthcare options or affordable housing close to specialised care. Moab's moderate lifestyle costs $3,500 per person per month, almost exactly the US average ($3,525), so the cost basis is workable but not cheap by Mountain West standards. Housing pressure from tourism keeps rents tight: a one-bedroom rental typically runs $1,200 to $1,800. The trade-offs: world-class national park access (Arches and Canyonlands), dark skies, very low crime, but limited medical specialists, hot summers, and a long drive to a major airport. Utah has no estate tax and a flat 4.65 percent state income tax. For the full picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 4

Is Moab Utah expensive to live?

Accepted Answer

Moab costs around $3,500 per person per month for a moderate lifestyle, almost exactly the US average ($3,525), and matching Utah ($3,500) and Salt Lake City ($3,500) on totals. Housing is the headline pressure: tourism drives rental demand year-round, so a one-bedroom in Moab itself typically runs $1,200 to $1,800, with seasonal spikes during the spring and autumn peaks. Short-term vacation rentals compete with long-term tenants, tightening supply. Moab sits cheaper than Colorado ($3,625), Arizona ($3,900), and Flagstaff ($3,900) on totals. Groceries and fuel run roughly 10 percent above the US average because of the remote setting. For the full lifestyle tier breakdown, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 5

Is Moab, Utah a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Moab is one of the more distinctive places to live in the US, and whether it suits comes down to lifestyle fit rather than affordability. The upsides are unusual: direct access to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, one of the country's best dark-sky regions, mild winters by Mountain West standards, very low crime, and a tight-knit year-round community of around 5,200 people. The trade-offs are real: housing pressure from tourism keeps rents elevated ($1,200 to $1,800 for a one-bedroom), summer highs frequently hit 100°F, medical specialists are limited, and the nearest major airport is over three hours away. Cost basis sits at $3,500 per person per month, almost exactly the US average ($3,525). For the full picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 6

What are winters like in Moab, Utah?

Accepted Answer

Winters in Moab are cold but considerably milder than most of Utah, with daytime highs in the 40s to 50s°F and overnight lows in the teens to mid-20s. Snowfall is modest by Mountain West standards: typically 5 to 10 inches across the season, mostly between December and February. Heating bills climb $50 to $150 a month from November through February, and the high-elevation terrain around town holds more snow than Moab itself, which sits in a sheltered red-rock basin. Tourism slows sharply, so the town quiets, and many seasonal businesses reduce hours or close. For year-round residents the winter is the easier half of the year compared to mid-summer's 100°F heat. For the full lifestyle picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 7

What is a livable salary in Utah?

Accepted Answer

A livable salary in Utah covers around $3,500 per person per month, or roughly $42,000 a year before tax, based on CostLiving's moderate lifestyle benchmark. That funds rent in a typical mid-tier area, groceries, utilities, transport, and modest discretionary spending. The state average masks Salt Lake City and Provo pulling slightly higher and smaller towns running cheaper. For two-person households, a combined pre-tax salary of $66,000 to $76,000 covers moderate living, though housing markets in SLC and Park City demand more. Utah sits modestly below Colorado ($3,625) and Arizona ($3,900), and matches Idaho ($3,500). Utah's flat 4.65 percent state income tax simplifies take-home math. For the Moab picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Question 8

What is the average salary in Moab Utah?

Accepted Answer

The average salary in Moab tends to run lower than the state average because the local economy leans heavily on tourism, hospitality, and parks-related work, all of which pay below the broader Utah median. CostLiving's moderate lifestyle benchmark for Moab is $3,500 per person per month, or about $42,000 a year, which sits above many entry-level tourism wages but below typical professional pay. Working-age residents in tourism roles often combine multiple part-time jobs to meet the moderate threshold; remote workers and retirees who bring income from elsewhere face a much easier picture. Moab matches Utah ($3,500) on cost totals but the local wage base runs softer than the state mean. For the full cost picture, see our Moab cost of living page.

Moab Cost of Living Questions