The Cost of Living Diaries: Salt Lake City, UT
How much does it cost to live in Salt Lake City, Utah? We asked a local to give us all of the details.
Salt Lake City, UT, is consistently one of the most popular cities featured on Livability. It is a beautiful, welcoming city with endless things to do. So, how much does it really cost to live in Salt Lake City? We asked a local to give us the scoop on everything from the cost of rent to lattes to a great dinner out.
Kayla Walden
South Jordan, UT
Profession: Homemaker, mother and freelance writer
How long have you lived in Salt Lake City, and what brought you here?
My husband and I relocated to Utah from Tennessee in the spring of 2019, so we’re coming up on five years here. We both grew up in the South, and we wanted a change of scenery, more distinct seasons, accessibility to the Rocky Mountains and a multitude of national parks in this pocket of the country.
How would you describe the community?
Salt Lake City has a population of just over 1.1 million people, and the valley is notably covered in residential housing. Because of Salt Lake County’s geography, you can see for miles depending on where you are. Despite having a more crowded feel than other places out West, there is a wealth of parks, green spaces, hiking trails and playgrounds on virtually every corner. Most residents in the suburbs are members of the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS), but downtown is more of a melting pot. People are generally kind and interested in living active, outdoor lifestyles (even in the depth of winter with two feet of snow on the ground), and it’s a fantastic place to raise children with the low crime rates and variety of child-friendly destinations, activities and events.
How affordable is rent/mortgage in Salt Lake City?
The housing market in Salt Lake City is competitive, and prices vary depending on where in the county you want to put down roots. We live in a suburb of South Jordan, around 25 minutes from downtown, and median house prices are between $600,000 and $700,000. Rental prices are lower than the national average, but it all hinges on what you want to find and where you want to be. Living downtown or in one of the communities closer to the foot of the mountain will generally cost more than the cities and suburbs farther from the ski resorts and city amenities.
What is grocery shopping like, and what’s your average grocery bill?
We’re a little unorthodox with our grocery shopping because we purchase meat once a year from a local farmer, which runs us around $1,200 for a half cow (plus pork and lamb) to feed our family of four for a year. We budget around $1,000 a month on top of that, but we also prioritize organic produce, raw milk and pasture-raised eggs. We have a variety of groceries and chains, ranging from Winco and Costco to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, as well as local grocers, so you can pick your store based on what you want to spend and what your priorities are.
How family-friendly is Salt Lake City?
In my experience, Salt Lake City is about as family-friendly as you can get. It’s often considered one of the best places to raise a family because there are plenty of large families here and tons of family-friendly activities. Hiking and skiing are popular pastimes for families, as are places like the Hogle Zoo, The Natural History Museum of Utah and Thanksgiving Point. We also have several sports teams, like the Salt Lake Bees, Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake.
What’s childcare like in Salt Lake City?
I stay at home with our children, so I can’t speak to what childcare is like. However, I know there are many daycares, preschools and public, private, Catholic and charter schools to choose from, and several families in our community hire full-time, in-house childcare.
What is the cost of dinner and drinks for two people, and what are some of your favorite places to go?
Dinner can range from $16 for a family of four at In-N-Out (a classic out West) to upwards of $125 for dinner and drinks at a nicer restaurant like Wildfin (seafood) or The Porch (a Southern-inspired restaurant in the residential community of Daybreak). I would say, on average, dinner and drinks for two would run you around $60 before tax and tip. Gourmandise and Finns Cafe are my favorite breakfast spots (French pastries and Scandinavian breakfasts, respectively), and our top dinner picks would be Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar, Avenues Proper and Copper Onion.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop you like to go to?
Since moving here from Nashville, we’ve had a harder time finding coffee shops we genuinely love. The Coffee Shop is our go-to for a quick drive-thru coffee, and Gourmandise is my pick for the best chai latte in town. Otherwise, we’ve heard good things about places like Sugarhouse Coffee and The Rose Establishment.
How would you describe Salt Lake City to someone visiting for the first time?
I think the first thing I would say is that the mountains quickly capture your attention. Snow-capped in winter, ruby and gold in autumn, and deep green in summer, they truly take your breath away at first glance. The mountain range is a stunningly beautiful backdrop for this energetic, lively and active city. I would also describe the community as itching for adventure and a life lived outdoors. No matter the weather, you’ll find people outside hiking, skiing, rock climbing, snowshoeing, boating, kayaking, roller skating or running.
What are some free or low-cost recreation options in Salt Lake City?
Getting outside is hands-down the best free recreation available here. Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon are worth their weight in gold when it comes to strapping on your shoes and getting fresh air. If you’re interested in rugged outdoor adventures, you can traverse streams, gain altitude, stumble upon elk and moose, hike to hidden ponds and really push yourself to tackle some serious challenges. More low-key options include the Bonneville Shoreline Trail or the Big Cottonwood Canyon jaunt to Lake Mary, which is beautiful in summertime.
How walkable is Salt Lake City? Is there a good public transit system?
We live in the suburbs, and our community was designed specifically with walkability in mind. However, getting from city to city would probably require a car. There are bus and rail systems, but they aren’t popular modes of transportation.
What are your absolute favorite things about Salt Lake City?
As a mom and someone who likes being outdoors, my favorite things about our city are definitely the family-friendly activities and atmosphere paired with the wealth of natural beauty and recreation. I have precious memories of hiking mountain trails and spotting moose from afar with my daughter napping soundly in her carrier. Now that we have another little one, our favorite pastime is walking around the lake. We also deeply appreciate the low crime and sense of safety that comes with living in a place like this. It’s a unique place to be, and we’re lucky to call it home.
Want more content about cool places delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Livability’s newsletter!