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Did you know that the world’s first-ever KFC was opened in Salt Lake City in 1952?
Salt Lake City is the capital as well as the most populous city of the state of Utah. Located at an altitude of 4,390 feet (1,338 meters), the city was named after the Great Salt Lake and it sits on the southeastern end of the stunning lake. There’s a wide variety of natural, historical, and religious attractions for the residents of Salt Lake City to enjoy. However, the city gained global recognition when it got an opportunity to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2002.
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Nature lovers as well as adventure seekers fall in love with the city for its jaw-dropping natural beauty and mountain-based adventures such as skiing and snowboarding. The city attracts people from different age groups and all walks of life, making it a truly desirable place to settle down with your loved ones. So what are the factors that you need to consider before moving to Salt Lake City? We’ve covered them all below!
Although Utah is the second-driest state in the whole US, Salt Lake City has its fair share of snow-clad mountains. The locals of Salt Lake City enjoy mild weather throughout the year. While the winter temperatures are between the low 20s and mid-40s, the summer temperatures range from the low 70s to mid-90s.
Although the city gets almost double the snowfall of what the entire US experiences, it also has more sunny days (222) than the national average (205) in a year. The rainfall in the region is half of what the country gets. During the months of December and January, the city experiences a phenomenon called winter inversion. It occurs generally after a snowstorm when layers of cold air are trapped underneath the layers of warmer air.
The 3-month period between the end of November and the end of February is generally considered the winter season in Salt Lake City. The average daily high temperature for these 90 days is 47°F. January is the coldest month for the city with an average low temperature of 23°F and an average high temperature of 37°F.
One of the best ways to enjoy the winter weather is by spending time outdoors. There are a number of parks and trails located near Salt Lake City that are perfect for taking a walk, going for a hike, or simply enjoying the fresh air.
Read Also: Most Outdoorsy Cities in the US
The summer season in Salt Lake City also stays for around three months from mid-June to mid-September. The average daily high temperature during this period is 81°F. July is the hottest month in the entire year with an average high temperature of 92°F and an average low temperature of 66°F.
The summer is also a great time to enjoy the outdoors. There are a number of parks, lakes, and trails located near Salt Lake City that are perfect for spending time with friends and family. And, since the weather is so consistent, visitors can plan outdoor activities without having to worry about the weather conditions.
The months of March, April, and May are said to be the months of spring in Salt Lake City. The average high temperature in the valley is 61°F while the average low temperature is 44°F. Although the temperatures start to rise in the valley as the winter ends, you can still find snow in the mountains in the spring months.
The weather during the spring is generally mild. In addition, the area around the city starts to bloom with flowers and the trees are greener.
September, October, and November are the months of transition in Salt Lake City as they start preparing you for the coming winters. The mountains get snow by the end of November allowing people to start skiing. The average high temperature in the city is 64°F whereas the average low temperature is 46°F.
The fall is a great time as the leaves on the trees change color to create an autumnal landscape. The temperatures are also comfortable, making it easy to explore all that Salt Lake City has to offer.
This is, without a doubt, the most important factor for you to consider if you’re imagining moving to Salt Lake City or any other place for that matter. A little over the national average of 100, Salt Lake City scores 118.9 on the cost of living index. The state of Utah falls in between the two with 110.8.
But before you get disheartened, keep in mind that apart from real estate, pretty much everything is more affordable compared to the national average.
The average utility bill for the citizens of the US is $235 per month. While utilities are way more expensive in Utah at $360 for a month, here’s a breather for you. The average cost of utilities in Salt Lake City is way below the national average at $193.
When it comes to salaries, the median household income in the US is $62,843 and it is $71,621 in the state of Utah. But Salt Lake City beats both by some margin as its median household income is $88,127. That would help you manage the higher-than-average cost of living in this city!
See Also: Best Mid-Size Cities In The US
Housing is what makes most of the difference in the cost of living for Salt Lake City. According to Zillow, the median price for a home in Salt Lake City is $583,858. This rate has seen a massive increment of 22.9% in the last year and there is a huge difference between this and the US national average which suggests $325,677 for a home. On the other hand, the average home value in the state of Utah is $529,509.
If you’re not interested in homeownership, you can become a renter in Salt Lake City. The average rent for a studio apartment in the city is $1,529. Similarly, it is $1,771, $2,280, and $2,727 for 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom apartments, respectively.
One of the biggest cons of Salt Lake City is the crime rate, which in is among the highest in the nation. According to NeighborhoodScout, Salt Lake City has violent and property crime rates of 9.36 and 74.70 per 1,000 residents respectively. The national median for violent crimes is 4 while it is 19 for property crimes.
So when you’re moving to Salt Lake City, make choosing a safe neighborhood one of your top priorities. Consider Yalecrest, Sugar House, and Liberty Wells as these are among the safest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.
Also See: 10 Safest States in the U.S.
In 2021, Forbes declared Utah the No. 1 state in the entire country for the biggest GDP growth after observing the data of the last decade. Having been able to recover from the pandemic much faster than the rest of the states, Utah’s GDP for 2021 stands at $198.63 billion which was recorded at $123.47 billion in 2010.
Salt Lake City has an unemployment rate of 1.3% while the national average is 4%. In addition to this, the city can see steady growth in technology, retail, government, and healthcare industries. Here’s a list of some of the major employers in Salt Lake City:
If you think that the job hunt is going to be a problem in Salt Lake City, we assure you that there’s no problem on that front. There are plenty of opportunities!
Even if you don’t own and don’t intend to own a car, you need not worry. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has enough public transport options for you to move around Salt Lake City and nearby areas.
TRAX Light Rail System: The light rail system covers over 40 miles with 50 stations and three lines — Blue Line runs from Draper to Salt Lake City, Red Line runs from South Jordan to the University of Utah, and the Green Line which runs from West Valley to the Salt Lake City International Airport. Around 70,000 people use this service every day.
FrontRunner Commuter Rail: Covering a distance of nearly 90 miles from Provo to Odgen with Salt Lake City in between, the FrontRunner commuter rail is used by over 28,000 people daily. There are 16 stations along the route which allows connectivity to the TRAX light rail system and the bus routes.
UTA Bus System: If you like bus journeys, you can use the UTA bus system and reach almost any spot in Salt Lake City. The service extends from the Wasatch Front to ski resorts, suburbs, and downtown. With 120 bus routes and more than 400 buses, the service is the most extensive form of public transportation in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City is well connected to the rest of the world with two international airports — Salt Lake City International Airport and Ogden-Hinckley Airport. The airport is the 22nd busiest in the United States. There are also numerous regional airports that provide access to other areas of Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Colorado
Once again, Salt Lake City has a number of quality education options with top-rated schools and universities. The most desirable institutions for higher education are the University of Utah and Westminster College. There is no dearth of high-quality schools either. A few of the best private schools in the area are Rowland Hall, Intermountain Christian School, and American Heritage School. On the other hand, Canyons School District, Jordan School District, and Salt Lake City School District are among the top public school districts in Salt Lake City.
East Bench is considered a wonderful place to raise your family due to its amazing location away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The neighborhood is situated against the Wasatch Mountains and offers stunning views of the Great Salt Lake. East Bench is in close proximity to the University of Utah and top-quality schools like Bonneville Elementary School and the Indian Hills Elementary School. Although at a distance from the main city, East Bench continues to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Median Home Value: $480,350
Median Rent: $616
Best known for its Tudor-style architectural homes and bungalows, Yalecrest is one of the favorite neighborhoods in Utah’s Salt Lake City. Other reasons for its popularity are its quiet ambiance, safety, tree-lined streets, and awe-inspiring views of the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. The University of Utah, Yale Park, Yale Gardens, public transport, local stores, and restaurants are easily accessible from Yalecrest.
Median Home Value: $405,460
Median Rent: $1,049
Probably the most lively place in the entire Salt Lake City, Sugar House is full of energy and colors. There are a huge number of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in the neighborhood with lots of options to shop. You’ll also find top-rated educational institutions in the area like Dilworth Elementary School, Highland High School, and Westminster College. But its main attraction is Sugar House Park. The 110-acre park has got everything from a basketball court, soccer, volleyball, and baseball fields to a beautiful pond and a couple of playgrounds.
Median Home Value: $324,184
Median Rent: $988
Due to its proximity to some excellent elementary schools like Whittier Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School, a lot of families want to reside in Liberty Wells. Houses are available for all kinds of budgets in this neighborhood. There are ample options for restaurants, coffee shops, and above all, outdoor activities. In addition, Downtown Salt Lake City is just a few minutes away from Liberty Wells, facilitating commute throughout the city extremely easy.
Median Home Value: $215,480
Median Rent: $731
Summing Up
Over the last few years, Salt Lake City has been making headlines for all the right reasons, resulting in its increasing popularity among more and more Americans. The country’s youngest state has a total population of 200,963. There are multiple reasons why people have started to take notice of this city - its booming economy, the flourishing tech industry, employment opportunities, options for education, and efficient public transportation. While the heavy crime rates can be a damper, the pros of moving to Salt Lake City definitely outweigh the cons!
Is Salt Lake City Worth Settling Down?
Utah’s capital Salt Lake City is an amazing place to settle down with your loved ones. You’ll enjoy all the perks the city has to offer from good education to jobs, public transport, great healthcare services, etc.
What Is The Crime Rate In Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has an overall violent and property crime rate of 9.36 and 74.70 per 1,000 residents respectively, as per NeighborhoodScout. This is considerably higher than the national average of 3.96 for violent crimes and 19.47 for property crimes.
How Much Does It Cost To Move Within Salt Lake City?
The average cost to move within Salt Lake City is $620. The costing will also depend on factors such as the distance of the move, the number of movers required, amount of items, type of move, which floor is your new place on, is there an elevator, etc.
Also See: Best Out of State Moving Companies
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