Salt Lake City, the capital city of Utah and also known as SLC, is famous for a number of things such as a growing economy, picturesque scenery, Mormon heritage, and some of the best ski resorts in the country.
Salt Lake City was founded by a group of Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young In 1847, and today, the city continues to have a strong connection to its Mormon heritage.
If you are planning to move to the city and wondering what life in Salt Lake City is like, we are here to provide you with valuable insights.
In this blog, we will provide information on whether Salt Lake City is safe, its family-friendly neighborhoods, its cultural scene, and why moving to Salt Lake City could be a great choice.
What is it like to live in Salt Lake City?
Living in Salt Lake City, Utah is ideal for people looking to move to a city with high quality of life, increasing diversity, multiple attractions, and a strong job market.
Living in SLC is also a lot of fun due to the vibrant art and cultural scene here with top-notch museums and art galleries.
What is Salt Lake City known for?
Salt Lake City is known for many things like its Mormon heritage, outdoor recreation, Sundance film festival, and a tight-knit and welcoming community.
1. Is Salt Lake City a Good Place to Live
Yes, SLC is a great place to live and raise a family. The city has a family-friendly environment with a focus on family values.
Most of the neighborhoods are safe, the crime rate is low, and it has some highly-rated private and public schools as well as famous colleges and universities.
SLC is a welcoming and inclusive place to live, regardless of one’s religious background.
While the city has strong ties to its Mormon heritage and got a large LDS population, it is quite a diverse city to live in and is open to different religious beliefs and cultures.
2. Moving to Salt Lake City
Are you wondering if you should move to Utah and whether moving to SLC is the right choice for you? Salt Lake City is considered a great place to move because of its strong economy, high quality of life, and rising job opportunities
SLC is also known for its friendly and welcoming residents. The people of Salt Lake City are warm, helpful, and approachable.
The city has a strong sense of community, and residents take pride in creating a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
3. Things to Know Before Moving to Salt Lake City
Before making the big move to SLC, it’s important to carefully consider several important factors that can greatly impact your experience and transition.
These can help you better prepare for the lifestyle, expenses, and opportunities that the city offers.
Things to do in Salt Lake City
The number one attraction in Salt Lake City is Temple Square. It contains 5 city blocks and is owned by the LDS church.
Temple Square is SLC’s most popular tourist destination; over 3 million people visit it annually.
Temple Square features several magnificent buildings and beautiful gardens.
If you have 3 days to visit SLC, you can follow the given itinerary:
1. On day 1, visit Temple Square and then take a guided tour at the Utah State Capitol to learn more about the history of Utah and its government. End your day by taking a scenic drive to Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon, both offering breathtaking views and hiking opportunities.
2. On day 2, visit the Great Salt Lake, and the Utah Museum of fine arts which is located at the University of Utah. Go to downtown Salt Lake City in the evening to enjoy dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants situated there.
3. On day 3, attend a Broadway show/concert at the Capitol Theatre. Visit Olympic Cauldron Park to learn about SLC’s role in hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. In the evening, go shopping at City Creek Center or Trolley Square.
SLC is an amazing place to visit and is well-known for many things, especially the Mormon Church headquarters, its role as the host of the Winter Olympics 2002, and the Sundance Film Festival, a popular film festival that exhibits independent films from all over the world.
The population of Salt Lake City
SLC has a population of 1,99,723 residents according to the 2020 Census, and hence, is considered a moderately large city.
Mormons constitute 48.91% of the population, which is slightly lower than their composition of 61.55% of Utah’s population.
The population of SLC is diverse with people from various religious backgrounds and beliefs.
While the Mormons are almost a majority in SLC, living here without being Mormon is commonly accepted.
Locals of the city here are friendly and known for their hospitable behavior.
Jobs in Salt Lake City
The job market in Salt Lake City is strong as the city has witnessed steady economic growth over the years.
SLC is generally considered a good city for job opportunities and its unemployment rate is 2.60% which is lower than the national average.
The median salary in Salt Lake City is $60278 annually, whereas a good salary here would be over $60,000 annually.
Cost of living in Salt Lake City
The monthly average cost of living for a family of four in SLC is $4304 whereas for a single person, it’s $1927.
This is more than the average cost of living in Utah which is $42653 per year or $3554 monthly.
The cost to build a house in SLC is $130 per square foot, whereas building a house in Utah costs around $125 per square foot.
The comparative cost of living of SLC with the country’s cost of living is given below:
| Expenses | Average cost SLC | Average national cost |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | $5316 | $10961 |
| Grocery | $4686 (this doesn’t include eating out in restaurants) | $3240 (This doesn’t include eating out amount) |
| Housing | $550000 (median house value) | $418379 (median house value) |
| Rent | $1664 (2-bedroom apartment) | $1363 (2-bedroom apartment) |
| Health care | $2980 | $4266 |
The minimum wage in SLC is $7.25 per hour, and you need to earn a salary of $77201 annually or more to live comfortably in the city.
Source- https://livingcost.org/cost/united-states/ut/salt-lake
Nightlife in Salt Lake City
While Utah has stricter alcohol laws compared to other large cities in the country, SLC is not a dry state.
SLC’s nightlife scene is pretty active and the city offers a wide variety of entertainment options to the people.
Downtown Salt Lake City, particularly the area around Main Street and Broadway, is where many bars, clubs, and restaurants can be found.
Several live music venues, including The Depot and The State Room, host concerts by local and touring artists.
If you wish to get the best view of Salt Lake City at night, Utah State Capitol would be the right choice.
It is located on top of a hill and provides a beautiful view of the entire Salt Lake Valley.
SLC transportation
The best way to get around SLC is with a car, however, you can also rely on public transportation if you don’t own a car.
Salt Lake City’s public transportation system is operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA).
This includes buses, light rail trains (TRAX), and commuter trains (FrontRunner). TRAX and FrontRunner provide access to different parts of the city and nearby areas.
You can access schedules, route information, and fare details by visiting UTA’s website or downloading their mobile app.
If you wish to get from Salt Lake City International Airport to the city, there are many transportation options available such as Rideshare taxis, shuttle services, and light rail that offers a direct connection between the airport and the downtown part of the city.
Salt Lake City Utah Weather
Salt Lake City experiences a range of temperatures throughout the year, with winters lasting from December to February.
Winters are cold with regular snowing, whereas summers are hot, with average temperature reaching above 100 degrees F.
The coldest month in Salt Lake City, Utah is usually January. During this month, the city experiences its lowest average temperatures of the year.
The average temperature during this period is 23 degrees F.
The city experiences a significant amount of snow during winter and on average, the city receives 56” of snow annually.
4. Pros and Cons of Living in Salt Lake City
SLC is a great city to live in with family or alone. But just like any other city in the world, it has its shortcomings as well. Some of the pros and cons of moving to SLC are:
Pros of living in Salt Lake City
1. High quality of life
2. Strong economy with a growing job market
3. Affordable rent
4. Strong public transportation
5. Stunning natural landscapes
Worst things about living in Salt Lake City
1. Poor air quality
2. Alcohol regulations
3. High competition for jobs
4. Increasing housing market prices
5. Summer wildfires
5. Is Salt Lake City Safe?
Salt Lake City has a crime rate lower than the national average and hence, can’t be termed as a ghetto city.
SLC’s violent crime rate is 9.96 per 1000 residents, whereas property crime rate is 70.27 per 1000 residents.
This is more than Utah’s crime rate, which is a violent crime rate of 2.61 per 1000 residents and a property crime rate of 22.35 per 1000 residents.
The national violent crime rate on the other hand is 16.5 Per 1000 people, and 90.3 property crime rate per 1000 people.
Source- https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv21.pdf
6. The best area to stay in Salt Lake City
Downtown is considered the best and safest area to stay in SLC because of its proximity to the airport, excellent public transportation options, and because of several affordable housing options in the area.
Some other nice areas to stay in SLC are:
1. The Avenues
2. University District
3. Capitol Hill
4. Central city
Suburbs of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has many surrounding suburbs, some of which are given below:
1. Cottonwood Heights
2. Murray
3. West Valley City
4. Draper
7. Moving companies in Salt Lake City
Hiring a moving company in SLC will cost around $500. Some of the best moving companies in the city are:
1. U-Pack
2. Moving Connections
3. Rocky Mountain Movers
4. Two Man Movers and Storage
Living in Salt Lake City FAQs
How big is Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has an area of about 110 square kilometers.
How many cities are in Utah?
There are 245 cities in Utah
Why is it called Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City’s name comes from the Great Salt Lake which is the biggest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Should I move to Salt Lake City?
Yes, you should move to SLC if you are looking to move to one of the best places to live in Utah.
Is Salt Lake City a good place to retire?
Yes, Salt Lake City is a great place to retire if you wish to live in a city with high-quality healthcare, a relatively affordable cost of living, and a friendly local community.
Conclusion
SLC is a beautiful, lively, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
Moving to Salt Lake City is a great idea for people looking to live in a laid-back city with a high quality of life and beautiful landscapes.
It is an amazing city to live in and raise one’s family, not only for Mormons but people from all religious backgrounds.