Living in Salt Lake City

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!

downtown Salt Lake City

ABOUT
SALT LAKE CITY

woman walking in park in Salt Lake City

LIFE IN
SALT LAKE CITY

farmhouse near Salt Lake City

WHERE TO LIVE IN
SALT LAKE CITY

church in Salt Lake City

THINGS TO DO IN
SALT LAKE CITY

ski area near 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!

woman walking in park in Salt Lake City

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!

farmhouse near Salt Lake City

Find the Best Salt Lake City Neighborhoods

view of downtown Salt Lake City from the hilltops

Dec 19, 2022

Best Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City For Families

Skyline of buildings in Downtown SLC

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Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Neighborhoods

Dec 19, 2022

Best Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for Singles & Young Professionals

Dec 19, 2022

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.

View of Downtown Salt Lake City from the Mountains

Dec 14, 2022

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.

Aerial view Salt Lake City sky line at sunset

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!

church in Salt Lake City

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 cocktail 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.

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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.”