Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah

Best Places to Live in the US in 2022 Sponsored by: eXp RealtyeXp Realty

UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.

Salt Lake City, UT is the #8 Best City to Live in the USA

Aerial view of Salt Lake City, UT
iStock.com/ferrantraite
Salt Lake City, UT
Quality of Life
Liv Score

659
How We Calculate Our Data
Civics 42
Demographics 49
Economy 89
Education 64
Health 63
Housing 50
Infrastructure 58
Amenities 72

Why Salt Lake City is one of the best cities to live in

Bordered by the Western Hemisphere’s largest salt lake and cradled by the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City, UT, is nearly picture-perfect. Salt Lake City residents have an amazing backyard, with easy access to world-class ski resorts and phenomenal hiking and mountain biking trails. Miles of protected open space, nearly 100 parks and close proximity to Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks also appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who crave adventure and are looking for an excellent basecamp to call home. Even more? Residents here can get from downtown to the chairlifts in an hour. 

Other amenities that make Utah’s capital city one of the best places to live in the U.S. include a robust public transportation system, an international airport, and an exciting arts and culture scene bolstered by the new state-of-the-art, Broadway-style Eccles Theater. Business-wise, support for startups and entrepreneurs has helped SLC position itself as an emerging tech hub.

What are Salt Lake City’s major industries and employers?

Education, health care, retail, accommodations and food service, and manufacturing are titans of industry here. 

What are the major colleges and universities in Salt Lake City?

University of Utah & Salt Lake Community College

What is the weather like in Salt Lake City? 

Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold and snowy. Utah snow is known as “The Greatest Snow on Earth” by skiers and snowboarders. You may remember the Winter Olympics were held here in 2002.

What is there to do outside in Salt Lake City?

Pack a picnic and climb up Ensign Peak, which provides a panoramic view of Salt Lake City. The out-and-back hike is a 1-mile trip. 

Salt Lake City, UT is Remote-Ready

What makes Salt Lake City a great place for remote workers?

There are plenty of places to put your nose to the grindstone in Salt Lake City, including a multitude of welcoming coffee shops, like Three Pines or Blue Copper Coffee Room. In addition, a recent study from Teamwork, a software management company, recently listed Salt Lake City as one of the best places to live for remote workers, thanks to its cost of living, average salaries and even factored yearly sunshine into their calculations, which is important because there are so many places for remote workers to step away from their desk and explore. 

What Locals Love in Salt Lake City, UT

What is the best local bookstore in Salt Lake City?

Weller Book Works is an independent bookstore that hosts events like a breakfast club and Saturday story times.

How do you spend a weekend in Salt Lake City?

Top ski resorts (there are 10 within an hour of Salt Lake City) and national parks make for fun day trips or weekend getaways. But SLC offers plenty of destinations for outdoor fun off the slopes, too, including the Great Salt Lake surrounded by trails and the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, which has 21 acres of gardens, 5 miles of trails and an impressive collection of daffodils.

What can you do for free in Salt Lake City?

The South Physics Observatory at the University of Utah offers free public star parties on Wednesday nights (so long as the sky is clear!)

What’s the best way to spend happy hour in Salt Lake City?

Choose from more than 200 beers at Beerhive Pub, which has a frosted rail to keep your pint cold.

What’s something only locals know about Salt Lake City?

At 210 feet tall, the six-spire, neo-Gothic style Salt Lake Temple is the world’s largest Mormon Temple. Temple Square tours are offered in more than 40 languages.

Is Salt Lake City, UT a good place to live?

Easy access to outdoor adventure coupled with an exciting arts and culture scene and a strong economy make Salt Lake City a best place to live in Utah.

Thinking of Moving to Salt Lake City?

What is the Salt Lake City, UT Real Estate Market Like?

One of the cleanest, safest, and prettiest cities in America, Salt Lake City, UT real estate is drawing in more and more newcomers every year. Young professionals look for homes for sale in Salt Lake City in the Sugar House District to take advantage of the niche stores and restaurants and the nearby parks. Real estate agents have no problem finding buyers looking to settle in Salt Lake City, explore the nearby Wasatch Mountains, and discover the Great Salt Lake for themselves.

Quick Facts About Salt Lake City, UT

Average Commute
16.9
Median Home Value
$491,840
Med. Household Income
$68,262
Total Population
201,299
Median Property Tax
$1,967

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