Just imagine walking up to the beautiful view of the mountains every morning. With the gorgeous view of the mountains that comes when living in Salt Lake City, you wouldn’t want to have it any other way. It is one of the trendiest places to live in the country and for all the right reasons. If you’ve thought of moving to a place where you can live a comfortable life, enjoy the outdoors galore, a well-developing economy that provides job opportunities, and not to forget the beautiful view of the mountains, Salt Lake City might just be the place for you. And if you didn’t know, it’s also home to the world’s first KFC store that was opened in 1952!
There’s a lot more that you should know before you make any decisions about moving to Salt Lake City. To help you know what really comes with life in Salt Lake City, we’ve put up a brief guide for you with everything about moving to Salt Lake City.
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Salt Lake City is the most populous city in Utah, and it has its set of ups and downs. To give you a clear idea of life in the city, we have jotted down a few pros and cons that come to living here.
Free Concerts At Pioneer Park
The city hosts a Twilight Concert Series at Pioneer Park for its residents. This is one of the biggest concerts that takes place every single year, where several artists and popular bands perform. And you can enter this concert for free. All you have to do is get in line well before it begins and you’ll get in just in time!
Growing Job Market
Salt Lake City is one of the few cities with a diverse job market in the country. For professionals seeking job opportunities, the city has ample opportunities and then some. Healthcare, technology, hospitality, and tourism are some of the fields that provide employment opportunities in abundance.
Winter Sports
The city is known for its winter sports galore. People from all over the country come to Utah and to Salt Lake City for a ski trip. You’ll come across multiple excellent ski resorts in the city that you can go to for some winter wonderland fun time.
Rush Hour Traffic
Salt Lake City is known for its rush hour traffic that takes ages to clear out, literally. This is an increasing issue in most parts of the city. You can get bored sitting out in the traffic so putting on a good playlist and practicing your patience is recommended.
Most Things Are Closed On Sundays
Here, Sundays are a holiday for most people. You’ll be surprised to know the number of shops, restaurants, cafés, and other places that are shut on Sundays. You may have to skip a few outing plans and fancy meals on these days.
Wildfires And Flooding
As the city is located in a valley, you are safe from any storms or tornadoes. What you need to be careful of are floods and wildfires. The city is a valley, and in turn at risk of wildfires; the state of Utah had over 1,130 wildfire reports in 2021.
As someone who is new to the city we’d recommend you carry your overcoats and thermals for spring and winter, and carry your SPF to shield yourself from the bright sun during summers.
During winters, the city experiences snowfall from November to March, and January is the month with the most snowfall. On average, it snows about 54 inches in Salt Lake City. So, be prepared to carry your winter coats and boots when you pack. The winters are cold, freezing, cloudy, and bring in ample snow and ice. The average temperature in winters is anywhere between 23°F and 47°F.
As the city receives snow in abundance, it has several ski resorts that you can go to for a winter ski trip with your family. This is one of the main tourist attractions during the winter season.
The summer lasts for around three months in the city. During this time the weather is bright, sunny, humid and clear. The average temperature during this time is generally at a low of 66°F and a high of 93°F.
You will get roughly about 222 days of sunshine here and occasional rainfall as well. The city is safe from any tornadoes or storms, thanks to the mountains. But you need to be cautious of flooding (get flood insurance) and also wildfires. Those are the only two natural disasters that you may need to worry about when living in Salt Lake City.
If cost of living is an important criteria for you to consider when moving to Salt Lake City, you’d be happy to know that it has a low cost of living. The city has a 6% lower cost of living compared to the average of the country, according to data from Payscale. Your utilities, groceries and food, and your healthcare bills are all fairly affordable in this city. Let us see what those bills look like.
Buying a house in Salt Lake City is a great investment as the real estate market has been consistently growing. The prices of homes are on the higher end of the margin here and are slated to grow higher, so now would be a good time to buy a house. And about 49% of the residents in the city are homeowners.
Here is a comparison of median home values according to Zillow.
| Salt Lake City, Utah | United States | |
| Median Home Value | $581,879 | $320,266 |
The market for rentals in Salt Lake City lies somewhere in the middle. When compared to the national average, the rent is not too expensive but isn’t exactly cheap either. The prices for rentals have definitely hiked up in the past few years but still remain reasonable.
Here’s a comparison of median rent according to Bestplaces.net –
| Apartment Size | Salt Lake City Average Monthly Rent | Us Average Monthly Rent |
| Studio Apartment | $882 | $950 |
| 1-Bedroom Home | $1,061 | $1,050 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $1,264 | $1,278 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,757 | $1,680 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,010 | $1,950 |
Salt Lake City is quite friendly when it comes to taxes. Unlike the income tax, the sales tax and property tax are both lower than the national average in the city. This is great news as you will be saving some extra income in this area. The sales tax is 6.9%, just a bit lower than the national average. The income tax is 5 % here and the property tax is 0.736%. In fact, the property tax in Salt Lake City is the lowest when compared to many other metropolitan cities in the country.
The second highest bills that you would be paying after housing are the utilities and other expenses around the house. According to Payscale, your utilities here cost lower than the national average by 22%. This means saving a great deal on groceries and other basics.
The utilities in Salt Lake City cost about $147.25 on a monthly basis. This includes your water, electricity, heating, cooling, and garbage. An additional $64.26 will be your basic internet plan, which is not a bad deal.
The average expenditure on your groceries and food in the city is also 2% lower than the average. A fresh loaf of bread costs $3.24 and a gallon of milk costs $1.81 on an average here. A carton of eggs costs as much as a gallon of milk. So, you can definitely visit your local Harmons Grocery and Smith’s stores, the two largest grocery store chains in Utah.
Healthcare is an important part of your overall cost of living. In Salt Lake City, the overall expenditure on healthcare is about 7% lower than the national average. This brings a one-time visit to the doctor’s office to $102 and the vet’s to $50.
Salt Lake City has some of the highest crime rates compared to most cities in the country. With a crime rate of 84 per 1000 residents, it is one of the most unsafe cities to live in the country. Living in Salt Lake City you only have 1 in a 12 chance of being a victim of either a violent or property crime. However, it’s important to note the nature of the crimes that give it such a high crime rate, which we’ve further explained.
The property crime rates in the city have definitely gone up in the past few years now. The property crime rate in the city is 74.1. If you compare this rate with the national median of 19, the city definitely has the highest property crime rate. Your chances of being a victim of burglary, theft, or any other property crime in the city is 1 in 13 people.
Just like property crime rates, violent crime rates have also gone up. But compared to the property crime rate, they are relatively under control. The violent crime rate in Salt Lake City is 9.36. This means that you have a 1 in 107 chance of being a victim of a violent crime in the city.
It is obvious that such a high crime rate in the city is a concerning aspect for you to consider. But again, it’s largely due to the property crimes that these rates have gone up, and violent crime rates are under control. Plus, let us remind you that this city also has several safe neighborhoods for you. Some of these neighborhoods are Mount Aire, Pinecrest, East Millcreek, Fort Douglas, and Evergreen Avenue. Pick a safe neighborhood, and you should be just fine.
According to fDi Magazine’s American Cities of the Future for 2019/20, Salt Lake City was ranked as one of the top cities with a booming economy. The city has made some great progress in economic development and this, in turn, has provided job opportunities for young and skilled professionals living in the city.
The city has a low unemployment rate of 1.4% as of November 2021, as per the statistics from the US Bureau of Labor. You’ll get plenty of job opportunities in the fields of tourism, healthcare, education, the government sector, technology, and hospitality.
The average salary of a professional working in Salt Lake City is $70,000 according to Payscale. With a salary so high, you can live a comfortable life in the city and provide for your family. A majority of the working professionals in the city are employed by some of the biggest companies in the US. Some of these companies are Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Overstock.com Inc, Zions Bancorp, Adobe, Salt Lake County, Goldman Sachs, and Co, doTERRA, University Hospital, Intermountain Healthcare Medical Center, Ebay Inc, and the University of Utah.
See also: Job Relocation Guide
The education in Salt Lake City is top-notch as it has some of the country’s top-rated schools, colleges, and universities here. In fact, the importance of education goes back in time – the Salt Lake City School District is the oldest public school district in Utah. This city is home to 281 schools out of which 2 schools are over 100 years old.
Let us have a look at some of the top schools, colleges, and universities in and around Salt Lake City according to Greatschools.org.
Salt Lake City has an exceptional public transport station system consisting of commuter trains, a light rail, and buses. The Utah Transit Authority runs (UTA) all of these transportation systems in Salt Lake City. Since 2019, the UTA has collaborated with the city to introduce more routes and efficiency to the system.
The light rails are known as TRAX in the city, and they connect the communities to Downtown with a well-connected rail route. There are three color-coded lines that offer services in different sections of the city. Each color-coded light rail, Red, Blue, and Green, follows a different route. The trains run every 15 minutes and cover a large number of stations. The fare for a one-way trip is $2.50 with Monday to Fridays being the working days. The rails run on a limited schedule on the weekends.
Commuter trains or the FrontRunner are also efficient ways of transportation in the city, and more so within the larger county. The only catch with the FrontRunners is that they cover only a few stations within the city and are closed on Sundays. A FrontRunner covers the route from Provo to Ogden and works from Mondays through Saturdays. It operates from 4:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., while Saturdays usually have limited service from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The buses do a great job of connecting the rest of the city with several of the FrontRunner and the TRAX stations. You can get to almost anywhere across the city as the bus services cover a majority of the city routes. The UTA is also consistently working on improving the efficiency of all the systems and it has been working well for the past few years.
During the winters, the buses have access to some of the ski resorts and locations like Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude to the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. These buses are the most used transportation systems in Salt Lake City during the peak tourist seasons. They are a convenient way to get to these ski resorts and run on a regular basis during the season.
Finally, you have the Salt Lake City International Airport, about 4 miles away from Downtown Utah. The transportation system provides locals and tourists access from the airport to the city and even all the way up to the ski resorts. The Utah Transit Authority has made sure to make commuting in and around Salt Lake City comfortable, convenient, and affordable for all. But, the traffic in the city makes it very difficult for the transportation system to show its magic. You will be spending a lot of time in traffic especially during the peak hours. The traffic moves extremely slow and is the only drawback to the transportation system in Salt Lake City.
Ski Resorts
The ski resorts in Salt Lake City are its biggest attractions. During the winters, going for a fun family trip to one of the many resorts in the city will be a good getaway plan for you. Park City, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, and Brighton, are some of the popular ones that you can go to.
Mormon Temple
The Mormon temple is an iconic landmark of the city and a very famous tourist attraction as well. Entering the temple is prohibited but that does not mean you cannot admire its beauty from the outside. The giant granite structure is an architectural masterpiece.
Temple Square
Temple Square is the prime hotspot for all of the important landmarks and historical buildings that exist in the City. Currently, it is under a 6- year restoration plan, so expect a lot of the buildings and areas will be closed. But of course, you can still visit a few of the many historical places and admire the beauty of the area.
If you’re looking for a quaint life and an affordable place to live in the downtown area of Salt Lake City, Capitol Hill is the perfect neighborhood. Since it’s located near the downtown area, you will have access to most amenities in the city including the transportation system, good places to eat at, and some cool places to visit in this area. You will also get a wide range of houses to choose from ranging from luxurious houses to apartments. It is a great neighborhood for singles and professionals who are seeking job opportunities in the city.
Population: 14,196
Median Home Value: $440,350
Annual Median Household Income: $100,723
Monthly Median Rent: $1,574
Central City is an upscale neighbourhood that is pretty well-known among the locals of the city. Located in the heart of the city, there is nothing short in the neighborhood. The community is diverse and it is also one of the safer neighborhoods in the city; perfect for families with children. It is close to some of the top-rated schools as well, and the houses and rent are affordable. Central City can be a good place to move to and enjoy the lowkey urban lifestyle it offers.
Population: 12,577
Median Home Value: $302,121
Annual Median Household Income: $42,694
Monthly Median Rent: $1,541
East Bench is a friendly neighborhood with ample outdoor and recreational amenities. This neighborhood has a zoo, a golf course, a shopping center, plenty of hiking and walking trails, along with many restaurants and cafés. This neighborhood also has a thriving nightlife. If you are an outdoor enthusiast who is looking for a neighborhood that has some of the best recreational and outdoor activities running all year long, you’d be happy to call East Bench your home.
Population: 6,543
Median Home Value: $606,689
Annual Median Household Income: $140,391
Monthly Median Rent: $1,537
Sugar House is one of the most-loved neighborhoods in Salt Lake City. Most locals will vouch for this as it is one of the friendliest and most diverse neighborhoods in the city. The houses in this area are in high demand which will make buying a house a bit expensive. But you get to pick the type you want – you’ll find small and large family homes, cottages, apartments, condos, and bungalows here. The Sugar House Park is one of the neighborhood’s most treasured places. Most people in the area visit the park very often and it’s always bustling with people.
Population: 43,240
Median Home Value: $356,201
Annual Median Household Income: $81,778
Monthly Median Rent: $1,604
Also Read: Moving To Iowa – A Relocation Guide for 2022
Summing Up
Salt Lake City is a trendy city to be in. It comes with its ups and down quite literally with all the mountains located in the city. Having mentioned all of the pointers in the article, it is pretty obvious to say that Salt Lake City is definitely one of the best places to live in the country. Obviously, the winters can be a bit unusual and the traffic can be a nightmare; The city is also very welcoming, has a great job market for professionals, a strong housing market, vibrant neighborhoods, and a good lifestyle for families especially.
So, if these are some of the things high on your priority list when looking for a new home, moving to Salt Lake City might just be the ideal situation for you.
Also Read: Moving to San Diego – A Relocation Guide for 2022
What To Know Before Moving To Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is the most populous city in Utah. The city offers good quality of life, great weather, amazing winter sports, and many more creature comforts. It is one of the most loved cities to live in the state of Utah. However, the traffic in the city is horrible, and property crime rates are extremely high.
Why You Should Not Move To Salt Lake City?
One of the main reasons why moving to Salt Lake City is not a good idea is the increasing crime rates. The property and violent crimes in the city are on the rise making it an unsafe place for all. But, with a safe neighborhood, and all of the safety precautions, you can move to the city for sure.
Is Living In Salt Lake City Expensive?
No, living in Salt Lake City is not expensive for the most part. The cost of living in the city is lower than the national average. This allows you to live a comfortable life in the city where you can get by with a decent-paying job.
See also: Moving Companies for Your Salt Lake City Relocation
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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