5 Great Places to Move To Near Salt Lake City

If you’re thinking of moving to a state with beautiful outdoor areas waiting to be explored, you owe it to yourself to think about Utah. This western state has an exciting range of environments from mountains with snow and waterfalls to deep canyons. That snow is considered just about perfect for skiing and sledding, too. If you have an RV, you can also head out any time of year to explore the state.

Whatever sort of work you do, you have a good chance of finding gainful employment in Utah. Major industries include agriculture, information technology, finance, manufacturing, mining, and tourism. Towns outside Salt Lake City tend to be conservative, while the state capital tends toward liberalism.

Here are five great communities in Utah to consider.

Farmington

Farmington is a suburb of Salt Lake City with a population of 24,000. Unemployment here is generally lower than the state or national average, and families make a good living. The median household income in Farmington is $97,000. Average rent for an 890 square foot place is about $1,300, and the median home value is $445,000, quite affordable when you consider how much many residents earn.

While the name of this suburb sounds rural, this is a truly urban area with all the amenities you might expect. Of course, you’ll find charming parks like Cherry Hill, Hess Farms Park, and Flag Rock. There’s even an amusement park, Lagoon, if you enjoy carnivals and rollercoasters.

Highland

This is another suburb of Salt Lake City. If you’re doing well in your field, you may want to settle down here. Highland has a population of just 19,000, and the median household income is a whopping $123,000. For residents, the median home price of $645,000, and average rent of $1,300 for a 970 square foot place, are quite affordable. Unemployment is low, and the population has been steadily growing for more than a decade.

There are lots of fun things to do with friends or family around town. If you enjoy the outdoors, go kayaking or fishing at High Country Adventure. Take a bird viewing tour with Mountain West Birding Company. Or, check out the sharks and other aquatic life at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Kaysville

North of Salt Lake City you’ll find Kaysville, a small city of 31,200 residents. Yes, this is another place where residents make a good living. The median household income is $91,334. Homes are reasonably priced too, for such an area, averaging around $425,000, and if you rent, you’ll get a lot of space. The average rent is $1,500 for a 1,270 square foot home.

Gorgeous sunsets and scenic mountain views make this a lovely place to live. You’ll find plenty of open spaces with plenty of parks and trails to enjoy every day. If you want to do something different with the family, visit the USU Botanical Center of check out the waterfalls in Adams Canyon.

Park City

Park City is truly an amazing place to live. East of Salt Lake City, in Summit County, in the Wasatch Back portion of the Rocky Mountains, Park City has a population of just 8,000. It is rather expensive to live there, especially considering the household income, which averages around $90,000. The median home value is $871,000, while small apartments rent for $1,300.

There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars, despite the low population, and the mountain views are stunning. This is also the home of the Sundance Film Festival. If you love movies, you’ll want to attend that every winter.

Most people own their homes here, but still, about 38% of the population rents, so if you’re looking for a home, you have a good chance of finding something.

Spanish Fork

An hour south of Salt Lake City is Spanish Fork, an oddly-named city with 39,500 residents. The median household income is the lowest on our list, but still enviable at $71,000. Considering that the median home price is just $318,000, that’s better still. The average rent in Spanish Fork is $1,300, so it seems better to own here than to rent, but over all the cost of living is lower than the national average.

Spanish Fork is a quiet town, great for families with children. You can feel safe here, too. Crime is 65% lower than the national average. If you enjoy camping, hiking, and even climbing, check out Spanish Fork Canyon. Go for a run or a stroll in Spanish Fork Sports Park or along Salem Pond.  Spanish Fork is yet another great area to enjoy the outdoors, including incredible views of the stars at night.

Whether you move to one of the aforementioned places, or decide to widen your search, we think you’ll find that Utah has a lot to offer.