Living in Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City is the 111th-largest city in the US, home to about 218,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Utah. It is growing fast: up 9.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 218,428+9.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $539,5007.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,414/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $75,090median, per year
- Price level
- 100.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 39° / 94°lows 24° / 68°
- Average commute
- 20 min21% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.5%top rate, flat
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County: Salt Lake County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 4,262 ft
Metro area: Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Cost of living in Salt Lake City
The median home in Salt Lake City is worth $539,500 and the median household earns $75,090 a year, so a typical home costs about 7.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,414 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area at 100.9, with housing at 123.3 and goods at 96.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,700 here. Utah taxes wages at a top rate of 4.5% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Utah is 7.42%.
What would my salary be worth in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City weather
Average highs run from 39°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 24°F. It gets 16 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 52 inches of snow. Expect about 62 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 112 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Salt Lake City
People and work
The median resident is 32.9 years old, and 52% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 46% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 21% of workers work from home and 5% take public transit.
- Median age
- 32.982nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 52%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 46%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,970110.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 5%5% walk, 1.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1965median year
Who moves to Salt Lake City, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to St. George (Washington County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Salt Lake County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, avalanche, wildfire, earthquake.
Home prices
+2.4% in a year
Up 33% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
33% good days
17 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Salt Lake City, UT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Salt Lake City
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Brigham Young University 34 miles
- University of Utah 5 miles
- Utah Valley University 31 miles
- Salt Lake Community College 3 miles
- Weber State University 34 miles
- Nightingale College 4 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Salt Lake City
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City International Airport SLC | 7 mi | 13,543,570 |
| Ogden-Hinckley Airport OGD | 34 mi | 15,582 |
| Provo Municipal Airport PVU | 35 mi | 455,219 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Salt Lake City
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah | 5 mi | 27,264 | $27,314 | 66% |
| Salt Lake Community College | 3 mi | 18,136 | $6,144 | 28% |
| Nightingale College | 4 mi | 5,986 | $35,059 | 21% |
| Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | 12 mi | 2,058 | $29,382 | n/a |
| Westminster University | 3 mi | 823 | $22,516 | 64% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Salt Lake City
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 8, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 19 and the first frost comes around October 31.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Salt Lake City Intl. Airport, UT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Salt Lake City.
Wildfire smoke in Salt Lake City
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Salt Lake City on about 55 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Salt Lake City
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 92,652 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite School District | Pre-K to 12 | 59,106 | 85 | 22.4 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Davis School District (71,428 students), Jordan School District (58,788 students), Canyons School District (32,688 students), Salt Lake City School District (19,049 students), Murray School District (5,678 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Salt Lake City's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Salt Lake City's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Boise, ID75% matchCompare
- Meridian, ID71% matchCompare
- Fort Collins, CO69% matchCompare
- Reno, NV68% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Salt Lake City
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Salt Lake City
- Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort 15 miles
- Alta Ski Area 16 miles, 30,581 ft
- Solitude Mountain Resort 17 miles, 26,726 ft
- Brighton Ski Resort 18 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Salt Lake City
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+9.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 7.2 years of median household income.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 52 inches a year.
Salt Lake City report card from locals
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Salt Lake City through locals' eyes
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Cities near Salt Lake City
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley City, UT | 5 mi | 137,491 | $419,100 | 100.9 | Compare |
| West Jordan, UT | 8 mi | 116,812 | $492,500 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Sandy, UT | 8 mi | 92,386 | $614,100 | 100.9 | Compare |
| South Jordan, UT | 10 mi | 87,614 | $650,500 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Lehi, UT | 21 mi | 95,313 | $612,100 | 98.2 | Compare |
| Layton, UT | 27 mi | 85,308 | $477,700 | 100.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Stansbury Park, Bluffdale and Riverton lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Salt Lake City.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Salt Lake City with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Salt Lake City a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow. Compare Salt Lake City side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Salt Lake City?
The Census Bureau estimates Salt Lake City had 218,428 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 199,726 in April 2020 (+9.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Salt Lake City?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,700 in the Salt Lake City area. The median household here earns $75,090.
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 39°F for daytime highs.
What county is Salt Lake City in?
Salt Lake City is in Salt Lake County, Utah. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Salt Lake City in?
Salt Lake City is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Salt Lake City?
About 4,262 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Utah have a state income tax?
Yes. Utah has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Salt Lake City. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Salt Lake City Intl. Airport, UT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.