Moving to Salt Lake City? One of the country’s best mid-sized cities, Utah’s capital is also one of the best cities for jobs and remote work, making it a great place to live for people of all ages. Plus, in addition to offering a range of budget-friendly housing options and fun things to do, Salt Lake City provides residents with outdoor activities in Utah—with destinations like Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Twin Peaks—making it one of the best cities for outdoor recreation. Check out these five safe, affordable Salt Lake City neighborhoods!
| Neighborhood | Central City | East Central | Greater Avenues | Liberty Wells | Sugar House |
| Median Home Price | $357,675 | $395,884 | $442,454 | $279,200 | $387,543 |
| Median Rent Price | $932 | $1,118 | $1,152 | $995 | $1,306 |
| Safer than % of the City | 74% | 68% | 95% | 42% | 47% |
| Owner-Occupied Home Rate | 21.6% | 34.9% | 51.3% | 51.5% | 57.8% |
Central City
If you’re looking for affordable neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Central City is a great place to start! This trendy hangout is known for its eclectic shops, indie bars, restaurants, fun events, and proximity to The Blocks Arts District in Downtown SLC. Residents of Central City can find affordable housing in Salt Lake City with options like single-family bungalows and ranches with Victorian influences, along with modern apartments. In addition to its great location and budget-friendly homes, the area has a 2% unemployment rate, with residents having access to a variety of job opportunities in major industries like retail—particularly with car dealerships—hospitality, and service sectors. Plus, in addition to using the easily-accessible UTA light rail, residents can catch a flight at the Salt Lake City International Airport, or bike or walk to work in the most walkable neighborhood in SLC.
Things to Do in Central City
Catch a concert, ice skate in the winter, or chow down during Food Truck Thursdays at Gallivan Center. Window-shop at boutiques like Cabin Fever, Olive & Cocoa, and more in Trolley Square. Sign your kid up for fun summer camps like Gamesplosion!, learn from diverse speakers in Conversations at The Leo, or appreciate exhibits like Into the Mind of Artificial Intelligence at The Leonardo. Bring your teen to a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons quest, participate in Candlelit Yoga, and enjoy Adult Craft Night at the main branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library. Grab a halal lunch near Downtown SLC with a Keema Kabob Wrap, Curry Fried Fish Wrap, or Grilled Tandoori Chicken Plate at Curry Fried Chicken. Splurge on the Lobster Roll, Spicy Lobster Sliders, Clam Chowder, and more from Freshie’s Lobster Co. Unwind at a bar in Salt Lake City with a variety of drinks, see national musicians, and experience the underground local music scene at The Urban Lounge. Or make a toast with the Red Rock Lite Lager, Hibernian Ale, or a Rocky Mountain Mule from Red Rock Brewery.
East Central
With close proximity to Downtown SLC, the University of Utah, and University of Utah Hospital—plus plenty of Salt Lake City transportation options like bus routes and a light rail—East Central is one of the best and most affordable places to live in Salt Lake City! This relatively quiet Salt Lake City neighborhood is especially favored by college students and other young adults for its international eateries, unique shops, underground entertainment scene, and welcoming community. In fact, the huge whale sculpture, Out of the Blue, was even commissioned near the 9th & 9th district to symbolize the respect and kindness of those living in the area. Plus, renters can find plenty of apartments and condos, while SLC home buyers have a variety of home styles to choose from—including bungalow, Contemporary, Craftsman, and shotgun-style houses.
Things to Do in East Central
Shop for locally-made clothes, artwork, chocolate, accessories, stationery, and much more at Salt & Honey Market in the 9th & 9th retail district. Catch indie flicks, award-winning shorts, film classics, and new releases at the iconic Tower Theatre—or learn filmmaking with their non-profit partner, MAST. Discover one-of-a-kind pants, shirts, bags, and more for your wardrobe at second-hand shop Vantage. Take in Salt Lake City views, let your kids explore the playground, and have a picnic at Faultline Gardens Park. Indulge in Brioche French Toast, a Frangipane Croissant, Tea Cake, Quiche, and other French sweets with locally-sourced ingredients at Tulie Bakery. Fill up on a seasonal, locally-sourced plate of Yalla Falafel, Spicy Beef Naan Tacos, or Poke Tuna from Vessel Kitchen. Enjoy authentic dishes like Curry Puff, Tom Kha – Shrimp, or Pad Siew at Skewered Thai. Or cool off with a rotating list of 40 monthly gelato flavors—including Pistachio, Chocolate, Coconut Sticky Rice, and more at Dolcetti Gelato.
Greater Avenues
Salt Lake City is known as one of the best places to live near the mountains, and the Greater Avenues neighborhood—nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains—lives up to that reputation! If you’re looking for safe neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Greater Avenues combines small-town charm with a beautiful desert backdrop and is home to one of the city’s most significant historic districts. This SLC neighborhood is split into two zones—the Upper Avenues and the Lower Avenues. In Upper Avenues, you can find historical Victorian, Craftsman, and Queen Anne-style Salt Lake City homes overlooking large foothills and green spaces like the City Creek Natural Area. In Lower Avenues, Salt Lakers can easily access Downtown Salt Lake City and the Utah State Capitol, or participate in community activities like an annual Memory Grove Cleanup, the Avenues Community Garden, or the free two-day Avenues Street Fair.
Things to Do in Greater Avenues
Stroll the curving walking trails, paint beside the duck-filled ponds, or watch the stunning sunset from the Anderson Tower Monument at Memory Grove Park. Go for a run, hike, or ride your bike over six miles on the City Creek Canyon Trail. Take adult water aerobic classes or sign your kids up for swim lessons or the Northcrest Narwhals Swim Team at Northcrest Swim Club. Explore 12 different exhibitions, dive into urban ecology, and learn about local history at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Start your morning with a Cortado or Cold Brew—or purchase whole bean bags like Cabin, Costa Rican Los Pinos, Central Ninth, and more at Publik Coffee Roasters. Expand your palate with vegan SLC BBQ dishes like Smoked Seitan Brisket, Korean BBQ Strips, and Slow-Smoked Jackfruit at Blatch’s Backyard BBQ. Pair your meal with a Negroni Cocktail or house-brewed beers like the Steamy Wonder and Look at This Photo Graf at Avenues Proper. End your night with a sweet treat like a Decadent Hot Chocolate, Banana Split, Old Fashioned Turtles, and other handmade sweets at Hatch Family Chocolates.
Liberty Wells
Want tree-lined streets and a yard without sacrificing location near Downtown Salt Lake City? Liberty Wells is a laid-back neighborhood and one of the most affordable places to live in Utah, offering a welcoming atmosphere and mix of urban and suburban amenities for those living in SLC! As one of the better areas for budget-friendly homes in Salt Lake City, Liberty Wells combines historical architecture with modern development, primarily featuring ranches and bungalows. This area is also one of the best Salt Lake City neighborhoods for families, thanks to its tight-knit community and top-rated schools like Whittier Elementary School and Innovations Early College High School. Older students can attend the South City Campus of Salt Lake City Community College to study arts and sciences close to home. Plus, residents of Liberty Wells will love the shared community garden and the Liberty Park Farmers Market in the summer!
Things to Do in Liberty Wells
Go swimming, play volleyball, tennis, and bocce ball, or check out the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts at Liberty Park, the second-largest park in SLC at 80 acres. Stick around to admire native and global birds at the Kennecott Wetlands Immersion Experience, join the Cloud Watching Club, or have an interactive Breakfast with the Birds at the Tracy Aviary & Botanical Garden. See the Salt Lake Bees (MiLB) take on their rivals at Smith’s Ballpark. Pick up a Nina Simone or Choco Chai signature drink and Greek Toast in the morning at Alchemy Coffee. Relax with a casual breakfast of FTF (French Toast Foolishness), Huevos Mexicanos, or a Jazz Omelet at The Park Cafe. Order Southern-style dishes like the Titanic Sandwich, Chilaquiles, or Garden Hash at Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade. Bring the whole family for an order of Sambusa with Beef or Chicken, Shiro Wot, or Yemisir Alicha at Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant. Or play poker, Bingo, or battle it out during Trivia and Karaoke Night at Piper Down Pub while chowing down Poutine Fries, an Irish Stew Bowl, or the Dublin Down Burger.
Sugar House
If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for young adults, Sugar House is a great choice! This charming, tree-lined SLC area gets its name from the sugar beet factory that was established here in the 1850s. Today, housing options in the area include new construction, modern bungalows, and ranches. Aside from its historical charm, Sugar House has thriving commercial districts like the Sugar House Business District and the upscale Sugar House Commons, which are filled with coffee spots, restaurants, SLC breweries, nightlife options, retail stores, and plenty of places to hang out. Residents also have lots of opportunities to get fresh air thanks to the walkable neighborhood’s access to plenty of trails, picnic spots, and great Salt Lake City parks like Hidden Hollow. If you move to Sugar House, be prepared to have a full social calendar with local events like the Water Lantern Festival, Salt Lake City Marathon, and more held at Sugar House Park, the largest park in Salt Lake City at 110 acres.
Things to Do in Sugar House
Reserve a garden plot in the community garden, get together with friends on one of several different sports courts, take advantage of the walking path, and more at Sugar House Park. Support local Salt Lake City boutiques like Salt Lake Running Company, Guthrie Bicycle, Sundance Catalog Outlet Store, and more. Stay fit with functional fitness, yoga, and indoor cycling classes at Seek Studio. Tee off at the driving range and go for a hole-in-one across 9 holes at Nibley Park Golf Course, the oldest public golf course in Utah. Get your morning started with an Aloha Bowl, Breakfast Bowl, Breakfast Burrito, and more at Sugar House Coffee House. Feast on the Crispy Tender Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and the Pretty Bird Chili Garlic Nuggets at Pretty Bird Hot Chicken. Dig in to the Cajun Chicken Alfredo, Honey Baked Salmon, and Chicken Enchiladas at The Dodo. Feast on Grilled Artichokes, Whiskey Baby Back Ribs, or a Steak Board at Blind Rabbit Kitchen.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks, are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
