So, you’re curious about living in Utah? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Utah.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Utah matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Utah is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Utah
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Utah is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Utah:
- Utah has a low cost of living compared to other states. This means you will be able to afford more for your money and lead a more comfortable life.
- The state is home to some great ski resorts, so if snow sports are your thing then Utah may just become one of the best places in the world for you!
- Plus, there’s plenty of sunshine year round too–that might not sound like much when it’s -25 degrees outside in the winter, but once you get here we think you’ll find this little perk pretty nice!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Utah:
- Utah does have high crime rates in some areas due mostly to gang violence and drug abuse problems.
- There can feel like a lack of culture in some parts of the state.
- If you’re looking for nightlife then Utah might not be your best bet.
- Utah has some pretty strange and strict liquor laws.
Read More: Is Utah a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Utah
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Utah? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Utah!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Utah.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Utah:
- Kaysville
- Park City
- Salt Lake City
- Woods Cross
Read More: Best Places to Live in Utah
Checklist for Moving to Utah
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Utah. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Utah.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Utah:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Utah driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Utah
- Getting Utah car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Utah and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Utah.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Utah and your previous home state.
Visit your Utah Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Utah Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Utah.
Things to Know About Living in Utah
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Utah, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Utah
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Utah ranks 25th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 97.9, meaning it’s a relatively less expensive place to live.
Here is how Utah scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 97.9
- Housing: 97.6
- Utilities: 93.2
- Transportation: 99.8
- Health: 92.8
- Miscellaneous: 99.5
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Utah
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Utah from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Utah’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6.1%, with an average local rate of 1.09% (the highest local sales tax rate is 2.95%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 7.19%.
Check with the Utah tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Utah
If you own or plan to own real estate in Utah, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Utah ranks 12th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 0.63%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Utah tax office for the most current tax rates.
Utah’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Utah is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Utah ranks 29th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional and business services
- Manufacturing
- Finance and insurance
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Retail trade
- Construction
- Wholesale trade
- Information
- Transportation and warehousing
The top employer in Utah is Intermountain Healthcare.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Utah
Our Utah moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Utah is Arches National Park.
National Parks that you can visit in Utah include:
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
National Monuments that you can find in Utah include:
- Bears Ears National Monument
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Jurassic National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Utah
Utah is the 45th state of the United States that lies in the western region. To its north is Idaho and Wyoming, to its south is Arizona, to its east is Colorado, and to its west is Nevada.
What is the capital of Utah?
The capital of Utah is Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City is located in Salt Lake County with a population of 200,000.
What is the population of Utah?
The population of Utah based on 2020 US Census data is 3,271,616.
What is the largest city in Utah?
The largest city in Utah is Salt Lake City.
What is the size of Utah?
Utah is 84,896 square miles, making it the 13th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Utah?
The state motto of Utah is: Industry
What is the state bird of Utah?
The state bird of Utah is the California gull.
What is the state flower of Utah?
The state flower of Utah is the Sego lily.
What is the state tree of Utah?
The state tree of Utah is the Quaking Aspen.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Utah?
The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour.
What is the median income in Utah?
The median annual household salary in Utah is $71,414.