Can A Dental Assistant Afford Rent in Orem, UT?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.1% of gross income.

Orem rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Utah state estimate).

Orem median rent
$1,520/mo
Dental Assistant salary (Utah)
$46,618/yr
Rent as % of income
39.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,885, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,165/mo in rent. Orem's median rent of $1,520 exceeds that threshold by $355/mo, putting a dental assistant salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental assistant works roughly 67.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental assistant salary

Dental assistant pay sits near the US median household income. At the national-average dental-assistant salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,214 a month in rent, which is achievable in most lower- and mid-cost metros.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Utah cities have lower median rent than Orem, which improves the affordability math on a dental assistant salary:

West Valley City, UT
$1,519/mo (39.1% of income)
Taylorsville, UT
$1,511/mo (38.9% of income)
Cedar City, UT
$1,511/mo (38.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Orem

View full rent data for Orem, UT

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental assistant afford rent in Orem, UT?

Median rent in Orem is $1,520 a month. A typical dental assistant in Utah earns about $46,618 a year, which makes that rent 39.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental assistant afford in Orem?

Using the 30% rule, a dental assistant salary in Utah (~$46,618/yr) supports up to $1,165 a month in rent. Orem's current median rent is $1,520/mo, which is $355/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental assistant work to cover rent in Orem?

At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a dental assistant in Utah works roughly 67.8 hours a month to cover Orem's median rent of $1,520.

Where is rent cheaper than Orem for a dental assistant?

Nearby Utah cities with lower median rent include West Valley City ($1,519/mo), Taylorsville ($1,511/mo), Cedar City ($1,511/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental assistant salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Utah state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Orem, UT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.