Americans love Utah! And why wouldn’t you? From national parks to mormons, the Beehive State has got it all.
The median home value for Utah is $542,100. The state scores 70/100 in quality of life. Utah is the 4th-happiest state in the US. For a rich cultural experience, Salt Lake City and West Jordan are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Let’s explore the best places to live in Utah.
3 Reasons to Live in Utah ⛷️
- Strong Ecosystem for Businesses: Utah has a robust environment of small businesses with 99.3% of the total businesses falling into this category.
- Low Unemployment: Utah has one of the lowest unemployment rate in the country at just 2.8%. The state has added 32,000 jobs since January 2023.
- Low Property Taxes: As compared to other states, Utah offers one of the lowest property tax rates at just 0.62%.
Best Places to Live in Utah in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Park City | 8,379 | $1,450,000 | $9,654 | 2.8% | 77/100 |
| 2. | Provo | 114,400 | $389,990 | $8,072 | 2.4% | 63/100 |
| 3. | Salt Lake City | 201,269 | $517,500 | $8,573 | 2.5% | 72/100 |
| 4. | Ogden | 25,087 | $950,000 | $10,514 | 2.4% | 61/100 |
| 5. | Logan | 53,246 | $405,170 | $7,910 | 2.1% | 56/100 |
| 6. | Sandy | 95,635 | $595,000 | $8,573 | 2.2% | 73/100 |
| 7. | St. George | 96,174 | $499,485 | $8,572 | 2.7% | 58/100 |
1. Park City: Best Place in UT for Sports Enthusiasts
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.0% |
| Median Income | $132,315 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,654 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% |
Located in the northern part of the state, Park City is among the best cities to live in Utah for winter sports enthusiasts. It boasts a few ski resorts like Canyons Village and Mountain Resort where you can enjoy activities like snowboarding and skiing.
Besides that, the median home price is on a steeper side as compared to the national average of $402,242. The city has a luxurious aura and can be ideal for people with high incomes. The cost of living is 29% above the national average.
Park City hosts the famous annual Sundance Film Festival which attracts actors and directors from across the country. It can be an amazing experience for someone intrigued by the world of movies.
» Homes for Sale in Park City, UT: Find your home in this vibrant city.
2. Provo: One of the Best Cities in Utah to Live
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.0% |
| Median Income | $57,943 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,072 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% |
Provo is the best city to live in Utah if you’re looking for a college town. It is home to one of the largest private religious universities, Brigham Young University.
Talking about home prices, the median home price is 3% more than the national average. The cost of living is just 4% above the national average. Besides this, the major employment sectors include healthcare, IT, and finance, with employers like ObservePoint, Rising Star Outreach, Vivint Smart Home, etc.
» Homes for Sale in Provo, UT: View thousands of property listings in the Garden City.
3. Salt Lake City: Best Place in Utah for Open Spaces
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.6% |
| Median Income | $72,357 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,573 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
The city rests amidst serene landscapes like the Wasatch Mountains and natural parks like Zion and Arches at an elevation of 4,327 feet. Salt Lake City is the best city in Utah for winter outdoor activities enthusiasts like trekking, hiking, snowboarding, etc.
The median home price is 28% more than the national average. The cost of living is 9% above the national average. In addition, trade & transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing are the growing industries. Some of the major employers in the city include Super Value Inc., Intermountain Healthcare, and Smith’s Food and Drug.
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in UT?🏡
Select Your Loan Type
-
New Home Purchase
-
Mortgage Refinance
-
Cash-out Refinance
4. Ogden: Best Place to Live in UT for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.2% |
| Median Income | $66,226 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,313 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% |
Ogden reflects a historic vibe due to its archaic architecture and landscapes. The city experiences all four seasons while offering serene views of the Wasatch Mountain Range. It is one of the cheapest places to live in Utah. The median home price is 8% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 1% lower than the national average.
Apart from this, Infinia, AvantGuard Monitoring Centers, and Ogden Regional Medical Center are among the top employers across sectors like energy technology, healthcare, and monitoring services.
» Homes For Sale in Ogden, UT: Find homes in the Junction City.
5. Logan: Best Place to live for Students
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.3% |
| Median Income | $52,473 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,910 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% |
Located in the north of Utah, Logan offers picturesque views of the mountains along with outdoor recreational activities. Home to the Utah State University, the city attracts numerous students and reflects a young vibe. Some of the popular programs offered are engineering and business.
The median home price is 0.7% more than the national average. The cost of living is 2.2% above the national average. Besides that, the major employment sectors include manufacturing, education, and accounting, with employers like Icon Health & Fitness and Conservice.
Try Utah’s #1 Mortgage Calculator to see how much house you can afford. Get an instant amortization schedule and a detailed cost breakdown for free💲.
6. Sandy: One of the Most Beautiful Places to Live in Utah
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.3% |
| Median Income | $108,165 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,573 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% |
Sandy is another Salt Lake City but less expensive while offering most of the facilities of a metropolitan city. Like other cities in the north of Utah, Sandy attracts many people because of winter recreational activities like hiking, snowboarding, trekking, etc.
The median home price in Sandy is on the steeper side, being 48% above the national average. The cost of living is 21.3% above the national average. Besides this, residents have easy access to Snowbird Ski and Alta Ski Area.
In addition, health and wellness, finance, investment, and construction are the major industries, with top employers like Layton Construction, LifeVantage, Acima, etc.
» Homes for Sale in Sandy, UT: View thousands of listings in one of the best places in Utah.
7. St. George: One of the Safest Cities to Live in Utah
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.2% |
| Median Income | $69,333 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,572 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% |
St. George offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and vibrant city life. The median home price is 24% above the national average. However, the cost of living is 2% lower than the national average.
Dixie City has a booming job market, with a projected growth of 55.6% for the coming decade. Over the years, the city’s economy has flourished in sectors like e-commerce, transportation, and retail marketing.
» Homes For Sale in St. George, UT: View thousands of listings in Dixie.
Best Places to Live in Utah for Families
- Pleasant Grove: Ranked as the 5th Safest place in Utah, Pleasant Grove is one of the best places to live in Utah for families. Besides this, Pleasant Grove High School is ranked 3rd in the best high school with a graduation rate of 81.4%.
- Syracuse: The city is home to many great schools including the Bluff Ridge School. Apart from that, the city is close to Weber State University and the University of Utah. Additionally, Syracuse ranks 3rd in the top 10 safest cities in the US.
Bottom Line
Utah is the best place to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent education system and vibrant city life.
The Beehive State is ranked 1st among the best states to live in the country due to affordable healthcare and utilities which are 7% and 10% lower than the national average, respectively.
In some cities, the median home price is around $370,000, whereas in cities like Park City, it can go up to $1,450,000. So, you must do your research before you move to Utah. To start your home search, browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Utah’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in UT
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places to live in Utah. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Utah and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Utah Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Utah State Archives[7]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[8]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Utah for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best city to live in Utah?
Logan is the best city to live in Utah. The city offers ample job opportunities in sectors like finance and manufacturing. In addition, the education scenario is great here due to the Utah State University.
Which is the cheapest place to live in Utah?
Ogden one of the cheapest places to live in Utah. Moreover, the median home price is 8% lower than the national average.
What are the expensive places to live in Utah?
Park City is among the most expensive cities to live in Utah. The median home price is close to $1.5 million dollars, and the cost of living is 29% more expensive than rest of the country.
