Living in Salt Lake City: Things to Know, Places to Live, & More (2024)

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Thinking about moving to Salt Lake City? The capital city of Utah continues to grow and diversify, making it one of the best mid-sized cities in the U.S. and an excellent place for people of all ages to settle down. Here’s everything you need to know about living in the Crossroads of the West!

ABOUT
SALT LAKE CITY

LIFE IN
SALT LAKE CITY

WHERE TO LIVE IN
SALT LAKE CITY

THINGS TO DO IN
SALT LAKE CITY

FAQs ABOUT
SALT LAKE CITY

What Time Is It in Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is located in the Mountain Time Zone and does follow Daylight Saving Time.

What is the Cost of Living in Salt Lake City?

The cost of living in Salt Lake City is 8% higher than the national average and 4% higher than the Utah state average.

What is the Population of Salt Lake City?

According to 2020 Census data, Salt Lake City has a population of 199,723.

What is the Crime Rate in Salt Lake City?

The Salt Lake City crime rate is 253% higher than the national average, and the city is considered safer than 2% of U.S. cities.

What is the Weather Like in Salt Lake City?

The weather in Salt Lake City is marked by hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. July sees high temperatures around 91 degrees, while January sees temperatures around 23 degrees. There isn’t much rainfall in the area, but the snowfall averages about 54 inches each year.

Life in Salt Lake City

SLC offers residents a cultural melting pot and a variety of job and education opportunities along the Wasatch Front. Learn more about what it’s like to live in Salt Lake City below!

Living in Salt Lake City: Things to Know, Places to Live, & More (7)

The Salt Lake City Lifestyle

Living in Salt Lake City is ideal for nature lovers who also want a city feel. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that SLC frequently tops the lists of best cities for outdoor recreation, thanks to its beautiful mountain climate and world-class hiking, biking, and skiing trails. SLC is also unique in its street numbering system, which is based off of the Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square.

Salt Lake City Demographics

Although the Beehive State is home to the largest Mormon population in the U.S., the LDS community in Salt Lake City only makes up about 49% of residents. In fact, SLC is seeing major demographic shifts due to its fast-growing population, including considerable growth among Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino populations. Additionally, SLC is one of the top queer-friendly cities in the country and is home to a large LGBTQ population.

Jobs in Salt Lake City

Not only is Utah among the top 15 states in the U.S. to find a job, but Salt Lake City itself is one of the best cities for jobs, boasting a low unemployment rate of 3.9%. In addition to steady job growth in government, retail, technology, and healthcare industries, Silicon Slopes has emerged as a go-to destination for tech jobs, as Salt Lake City is more affordable than the Bay area.

Education in Salt Lake City

Whether you’re searching for the best schools in Salt Lake City for your kids or hoping to earn an advanced degree, there are plenty of great education options available. Canyons School District, Jordan School District, and Salt Lake City School District are among the top public school districts in the area, while Rowland Hall, Intermountain Christian School, and American Heritage School are among the best private schools. As far as higher education goes, the most prominent colleges in the area are University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU), but the metro area is also home to Utah Valley University, Weber State University, and several community colleges.

Where to Live in Salt Lake City

In addition to scenic mountain views and a vibrant local culture, Utah’s capital city also boasts unique neighborhoods and valuable real estate. Whether you’re looking to rent a home or buy one, Salt Lake City is a great place to put down roots!

Find the Best Salt Lake City Neighborhoods

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Buying a Home in Salt Lake City

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Salt Lake City, you’ll need to consider the amenities, public transportation options, and more. The pristine mountain air, affordability, and job market make SLC a great place to buy a home.

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Renting a Home in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City offers unique dining options, great shopping, and a variety of sports teams to root for—and renting a home in SLC is an excellent way to experience big city living. Renting is a popular choice for many in SLC, with 52% of Salt Lake City residents being renters.

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Living in Salt Lake City: Things to Know, Places to Live, & More (13)

Things to Do in Salt Lake City

Are you on the lookout for things to do in Salt Lake City? From scenic hiking and biking trails to the tantalizing foodie scene, historical landmarks, and fun festivals, you’ll never be bored in SLC!

Living in Salt Lake City: Things to Know, Places to Live, & More (14)

Dining

Salt Lake City is a “foodie” haven, so you won’t have any issues finding a place to eat out. If you’re looking for great Mexican food in Salt Lake City, grab a Jalapeno Margarita and the signature Mole Negro dish at Red Iguana in Downtown SLC. For an intimate date night in Salt Lake City, enjoy authentic Sicilian cuisine with a bottle of wine at Antica Sicilia in East Millcreek. Feeling some sushi for dinner? Pop in for a Spicy Yellowtail or Maui Wowie roll at Sapa Sushi Bar & Asian Grill in Central City. For your new go-to takeout place, get a savory Lamb Kabob with garlic naan at Afghan Kitchen in South Salt Lake.

Nightlife

You might have heard the common misconception that SLC doesn’t serve alcohol. While the Beehive State had stricter liquor laws back in the day, that’s not the case now. In fact, there are tons of cool bars and lounges in Salt Lake City! Visit the conjoined Bar-X and Beer Bar in Downtown Salt Lake City, where you’ll find an energetic gastropub on one side and a prohibition-style co*cktail lounge on the other. Try the Hop Nosh IPA or Golden Spike Hefeweizen at local brewery Uinta Brewing in Glendale. Swing by for the perfect Moscow Mule or Dirty Martini after work at Elixir Lounge in Holladay! Or grab some drinks and watch up-and-coming standup comedians at Wiseguys Comedy Club.

Shopping

Salt Lake City stores are in no short supply! Shop luxury brands like Coach and Louis Vuitton at the indoor-outdoor shopping outlet City Creek Center. Pick up fresh produce and handcrafted goods at the Downtown Farmers Market in Pioneer Park. Take some time to enjoy some elevated coffee from La Barba Coffee while you get some retail therapy at popular stores like Sidekick Central and Apothica at The Gateway. Or if your taste is vintage, browse the clothing collections at Decades Vintage Clothing or Blue Velvet Bunny.

Entertainment

Hoping to find a new pro sports team to root for after moving to Salt Lake City? Take your pick from the Utah Jazz (NBA), Salt Lake Bees (MiLB), Real Salt Lake (MLS), and Utah Grizzlies (ECHL). Want an experience that’s off the beaten path? Check out The Viva La DIVA Show at Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City’s first (and only) professional celebrity and female impersonation show! Catch independent films and documentaries at Broadway Centre Cinemas, operated by the Salt Lake Film Society. Or get your skiing gear on and head to the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains to experience the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” Other ski spots like Brighton, Alta, and Park City are all within 45 minutes of SLC, while resorts like Sundance and Powder Mountain are within an hour, making weekend ski trips a popular activity for local residents.

Art & Culture

You don’t have to travel to Los Angeles or New York City to experience the fine arts—Salt Lake City has everything you need! Ballet West and Utah Opera perform at Capitol Theatre, while the Utah Symphony performs at Abravanel Hall. Of course, you can’t forget about the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which performs at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. You can also visit Eccles Theater and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center to see Broadway musicals, dance troupes, Christmas concerts, and more. And don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the public art installation, Point of View – You Are Here, at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Festivals

Utah is home to the renowned, ten-day Sundance Film Festival, where you can see showcases of shorts, indie films, documentaries, feature films, and foreign films. But that’s not all SLC has to offer for festivals! Appreciate art in all its forms from across the world at the Utah Arts Festival. Spend the day enjoying live music, dances, food trucks, and more while supporting the LGBTQ community at Utah Pride. Participate in a variety of game tournaments from Magic the Gathering to Warhammer to League of Legends at Salt Lake Gaming Con. Or snap your fingers and relax by listening to some smooth Blues music at the Utah Blues Festival.

Family-Friendly Activities

Looking for things to do with kids in Salt Lake City? Visit Hogle Zoo, where you can learn about 800 animal species and enjoy train rides, bird shows, and more. Expand your kids’ minds through interactive exhibits like I Dig Dinos, Water Play, and The Garden at the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. Get up and close with raptors, learn more about tortoises, or shadow an animal keeper at Tracy Aviary & Botanical Garden. Discover how the earth was formed, gaze up at the stars, and learn more about our solar system at the Clark Planetarium. Or get creative and paint a variety of ceramic figures, mugs, and more at Color Me Mine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SALT LAKE CITY

Is Salt Lake City a good place to live?

Salt Lake City is a great place for people of all ages to settle down, though it’s particularly popular among young professionals looking for job opportunities and families seeking large suburban homes for raising kids.

What is the best way to get around Salt Lake City?

Most residents of Salt Lake City need a car to get around. However, the city does offer good public transportation options through the Utah Transit Authority, including bus routes, TRAX light rail, and the FrontRunner train (which runs between Ogden and Provo).

What is Salt Lake City known for?

Salt Lake City is best known for its founding by a group of Mormon pioneers in 1847, and the city remains the heart of Mormon culture today. SLC is also known for hosting the Winter Olympics in 2002, being the home of Sundance Film Festival, and having some of the best skiing in the United States.

Does Salt Lake City get a lot of snow?

SLC does get a lot of snow throughout the winter. In fact, the city receives around 54 inches of snow on average, thanks to the lake effect from the Great Salt Lake. It’s also why this area of Utah is known for having the “Greatest Snow on Earth.”

Living in Salt Lake City: Things to Know, Places to Live, & More (2024)

FAQs

What to know before moving to Salt Lake? ›

In Salt Lake City, there are about 222 sunny days per year. Summers are hot and dry — although the average summer temperature in SLC is around 73 degrees Fahrenheit — and winters are cold and wet. Rainfall averages around 20 inches per year, while snowfall averages around 54 inches.

What is it really like living in Salt Lake City? ›

Salt Lake City offers unique dining options, great shopping, and a variety of sports teams to root for—and renting a home in SLC is an excellent way to experience big city living. Renting is a popular choice for many in SLC, with 52% of Salt Lake City residents being renters.

What is the best part of Salt Lake City to live in? ›

Downtown. Looking for a bustling neighborhood with a flourishing social scene? Downtown SLC could be the perfect place for you! When it comes to finding housing in Salt Lake City, the Downtown area is ideal for those seeking apartments and condos surrounded by ample things to do.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Salt Lake City? ›

In the Salt Lake City metro area, a single individual would need to earn $25,400 after taxes to live comfortably. In its analysis, SmartAsset found cities along both the East and West coasts require the greatest post-tax income to live comfortably.

What are the main Mormon rules? ›

Cultural practices which are centrally based on church doctrine include adhering to the church's law of health, paying tithing, living the law of chastity, participation in lay leadership of the church, refraining from work on Sundays when possible, family home evenings, and ministering to other church members.

What is crime like in Salt Lake City? ›

Citywide, violent crimes spiked and have decreased, but are still up compared to 2019 — going from an average of 113 violent crimes per month in 2019 to a peak average of about 145 violent crimes per month in 2021. This year, there was an average of about 130 violent crimes per month between January and September.

Are people friendly in Salt Lake City? ›

5. You'll Have No Trouble Making Friends—Salt Lake Citians Love Out-Of-Towners. Salt Lake City locals are known for their friendliness and hospitality. It's not unusual for small talk at the grocery store to turn into an invite to that person's backyard barbeque.

Where do the rich live in Salt Lake City? ›

East Bench | Wealthiest Salt Lake City Neighborhood

East Bench is the wealthiest Salt Lake City neighborhood. Its median household income is 133% higher than the city average and 87.5% higher than the state average.

What is the safest neighborhood in Salt Lake City? ›

Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City
  • Central City.
  • East Central.
  • Greater Avenues.
  • Liberty Wells.
  • Yalecrest.

What is the vibe of Salt Lake City? ›

Salt Lake City, Utah, offers a diversified and energetic atmosphere. It is noted for its breathtaking natural settings, which include adjacent mountains and the Great Salt Lake. The city features a diverse population of outdoor enthusiasts, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community.

What is the average electric bill in Salt Lake City? ›

Monthly electric bills are a product of how much electricity you use per month and your electric rate. In Salt Lake City, UT, the average monthly electric bill for residential customers is $130/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate: 983 kWh * 13 ¢/kWh.

What is the average price of a house in Salt Lake City? ›

The average Salt Lake City, UT home value is $560,696, up 2.1% over the past year and goes to pending in around 10 days.

Is 50k a good salary in Utah? ›

$35,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $51,900 is the 75th percentile.

Can you live in Salt Lake City without being Mormon? ›

1. Not everyone in Salt Lake City is Mormon. Every Salt Laker who has traveled beyond Utah has been asked “Are you a Mormon?” It's a fair question, given that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) has its headquarters here. But Salt Lake proper's population is actually less than 50% LDS.

Will Salt Lake become unlivable? ›

But in January 2023, scientists at Brigham Young University, a Mormon institution, issued a report containing a dire warning: “The lake as we know it is on track to disappear in five years.” Since 1850, it has lost more than 70 percent of its water and 60 percent of its surface area, mostly because people are sucking ...

Does Salt Lake have a homeless problem? ›

Approximately 2,000 individuals are believed to be living without homes in Salt Lake City, Utah. This number reflects various challenges like economic disparities, mental health issues, and limited access to affordable housing.

Is Salt Lake City mostly Mormon? ›

Of all the US states, Utah has the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints, but they aren't in Salt Lake City. As usually happens, urban dwellers tend to be more liberal than rural folks. Salt Lake is about 50% LDS while north Utah Valley to the south is 80% LDS.

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