City Report · UT

Payson

Pop. 23,039·42nd most expensive in Utah·Rental market data updated monthly for Payson, UT
Median rent (all units)
$1,573/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.3%
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
-$389
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Payson · $1,573
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
51/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Payson's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,573/mo
Expected by trend
$1,579/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Payson's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,190
1 BR
$1,190
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,320
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,380/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,573 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$18,876/yr
At $1,573/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.3% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Payson, UT is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,039
Median income
$89,905
Median age
29.5
Renters
17.9%
Age distribution
30.7%
27.2%
23.2%
Under 1830.7%
18–3427.2%
35–5423.2%
55–648.5%
65+10.3%
Gender
55.1%
44.9%
Male55.1%
Female44.9%
Race & ethnicity
81.9%
17.9%
White81.9%
Black1.2%
Hispanic17.9%
Education (25+)
28.8%
36%
27.9%
No HS diploma7.3%
HS diploma28.8%
Some college36%
Bachelor's+27.9%
Housing tenure
82.1%
17.9%
Owner82.1%
Renter17.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Payson, UT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,216 → $1,573
up 29.4%
Income
$75,682 → $89,905
up 18.8%
Population
21,093 → 23,039
up 9.2%
Renter share
19.9% → 17.9%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
24.7% → 27.9%
+3.2 pts
Median age
26.7 → 29.5
+2.8 yrs

The median rent in Payson, UT stood at $1,216 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,573, reflecting a 29.4% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $75,682 to $89,905 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.8% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 9.2% since 2021, moving from about 21,093 residents to roughly 23,039. Renters now make up 17.9% of households, compared with 19.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 27.9% of adults here, versus 24.7% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Payson, UT reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Payson rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Payson on your salary?

At $1,573/mo, how Payson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Payson rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Payson. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Payson

About renting in Payson, UT

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Payson is $1,573/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($89,905/yr), Payson ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Payson an affordable city for renters?

Payson is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,573/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($89,905/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Payson falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Payson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,573/mo in Payson. The local median household income is $89,905/yr, meaning the typical Payson household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Payson?

Rent in Payson has increased 4.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Payson rent compare to other cities in Utah?

Payson is one of the more affordable cities in Utah for rent, ranking #42 out of 54 tracked cities at $1,573/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Payson?

Orem is nearby and more affordable at $1,512/mo, which is $61 less than Payson.

What percentage of Payson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.9% of Payson households are renters, while 82.1% are owner-occupied. Payson leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Payson rent compare to the national average?

Payson's median rent of $1,573/mo is $389 (20%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Utah, it ranks #42 out of 54 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,573/mo, rent takes ~21% of Payson's median household income ($89,905/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Payson 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.55%
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Neighborhoods

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Public schools near Payson, UT

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