Estimating the Economic Boost of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Utah

Extending marriage to same-sex couples in Utah would generate up to $15.5 million in spending to the state economy. According to 2010 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, 3,909 same-sex couples live in Utah. Of those couples, the Institute estimates that 50 percent (1,955 couples) would choose to marry in the first three years, a pattern that has been observed in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over 1,200 marriages would occur in the first year alone, and bring up to $10 million in revenue to the state of Utah that year. Wedding-related spending and tourism would generate approximately 268 new jobs in Utah over the first three years