Utah, the second happiest state in America, is also one of the USA’s most beautiful gateway spots. This mountain state is famous as the best skiing destination in the country, accumulating an average of up to 500 inches of snow every year. 

Also known as the Beehive State, Utah has everything one can wish for. First, of course, it is heaven to nature lovers – dotted with majestic mountains, open-air arches, calm waterfalls, and gorgeous national parks. But, wait, that’s not it! If you are a foodie, Utah has something for you, too – it is the pioneer to several local specialty dishes, which go particularly well with their enviable craft beer collection. 

What’s more? It’s affordable and supports a better state of living.

So if you are thinking of packing your bags right away and going to Utah, this article will help you get a clear picture of what this Beehive State has to offer. 

Here are a few facts one should know about before moving to Utah.  

Things to Know Before Moving to Utah 

• Best Place to Live In Utah

One of the best places to live in Utah is, of course, the booming Salt Lake City. It provides ample job opportunities and is a lively city with friendly neighbors, great local food chains, and a local craft beer industry. It is one of the best cities in Utah if you love the hustle and bustle of a busy life.

The cost of living in Salt Lake City is a little higher due to its rising house prices. However, other smaller cities around the state offer a quieter life with lower costs of living. Other best cities to live in Utah include Park City, St George, Provo and Cedar City. 

• Great Job Market

One of the primary reasons for moving to Utah is its excellent job market. Despite the considerable size of the state, it is sparsely populated, leading to the easy availability of jobs. Utah currently enjoys its position as the state with lowest unemployment rates, according to reports of 2021. 

Also, thanks to its diverse economy, Utah houses the best opportunity for job hunters. One can get openings in mining, tourism, agriculture, technology and innovation. The technology and innovation sector has also seen a recent surge with the arrival of tech giants like Adobe and Facebook and is guaranteed to open up more job opportunities. 

• Culture

Utah is a culturally rich and diverse state. In addition, Utah people are one of the friendliest and nicest people you will meet – you might get the best neighbors you could have imagined! Their religion and beliefs make them extremely helpful, which is a blessing to anyone moving into a completely new place.

• Great Travel Destinations Around

If you are a person who loves to pack their bags and go on a weekend trip, Utah is one of the best places to settle in. Due to their low population and cluster in the main cities like Provo and Salt Lake City, much of the state has public lands with beautiful terrain available for exploration. The smaller, rural towns are perfect for weekend getaways with ample opportunities for hiking, camping, or having a relaxing time. 

• Rising Home Prices in Utah

The cost of living in Utah is slightly higher in comparison to the other states in the country. This is mainly due to the surge in housing prices. While it does have low property taxes and no real estate tax, the rising housing prices have bought up the cost of living in Utah. According to reports, this price surge has continued well into 2021 from the last quarter of 2020 at a rate of 6.5%. Also, according to reports by Zillow, the average house rent price is around $2,200 while house prices have increased to $429,922. So if you think of investing in real estate, you are guaranteed to get good returns on a short-term basis.

However, this price and rate differ from city to city. This is why Utah cost of living varies from significant to small cities. For example, Salt Lake City has higher housing prices than other small states. So if you are planning to shift to the smaller towns, you do not have much to worry about. Rent and house prices in the smaller towns of Utah remain slightly on the lower side as compared to those of the big cities.  

• Flat Tax Rates

If you come from big cities in states like California and New York, Utah’s income tax structure might seem like a dream come true. Utah's tax structure is relatively straightforward. 

Utah has a flat income tax rate of 5%. While it might seem a deterrent at first, it has no estate tax and low property taxes, which makes up for it. Depending on local tax rates, the sales tax of Utah also ranges around 5.95-8.6%. 

However, to those who might be thinking of spending their retirement days in Utah, this structure might not be ideal for you. Taxes are levied on Social Security benefits as well as other types of retirement income. So in comparison with other states, the taxes being levied on retirement accounts might seem unfavorable. 

• Diversified Economy

The job prospects look great for this Beehive  State and are one of the best reasons to move to Utah. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Utah’s economy is the second-best in the country, ahead of Washington and second to Colorado. It also has impressive fiscal stability and is ranked 5th highest in the country.

Job seekers have several options to choose from due to Utah’s diverse economy. Several industries like information technology, tourism, agriculture and mining are flourishing at a constant rate. Also, due to the fixed rate of taxes, new industries are setting shop in the state. Technology and innovation industries particularly have faced an incredible high from the recently opened offices of tech giants like Facebook and Adobe.

• Beautiful Skiing Opportunities 

One of the major thrills about living in Utah is their wonderful winter. The best part about their winter is that it comes with a lot of snowfall and thus presents plenty of opportunities for skiing. Utah is considered as the best destination for skiing in the whole country. While you will not find any skiing destinations within the city, you will find plenty of skiable terrains just an hour away from the cities. You can also find great skiing resorts in these areas.  

• Beautiful National Parks

While moving to this state, you must be thinking, what is Utah known for?

Well, Utah is famous for housing some of the best national parks in the world. The five national parks of Utah are Arches, Zion, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. These parks are adorned with diverse terrains, rugged mountains and unbelievable rock formations. Everyone living or visiting Utah has to check out these national parks to gain an experience of a lifetime. We suggest checking out the pictures of these beautiful national parks to get you even more excited about moving to this Beehive State. 

• Stunning Landscapes 

Another reason to fall in love with Utah is its stunning and diverse landscapes. You can find almost every type of terrain. The state is dotted with majestic mountains, pine forests, massive deserts, serene rivers and crystal-clear lakes. 

Utah is the best place for any nature lover, thanks to its stunning national parks. You can expect to catch breathtaking sunsets, open-air arches on mountains, natural bridges to go hiking or horse riding on.

If rivers and waterfalls are your calls, Virgin River and Emeralds Pool will be your sanctuary. Go camping or go on a picnic on weekends to get your nature’s fill. 

• Good Transportation and Traffic

Utah has an excellent public transport system with an award-winning bus service and excellent rail system. Their efficient public transport will ensure that you reach your destination safely without any hassle. 

• Low Crime Rates

Utah is considered a very safe state due to its low crime rate. Their strong religious belief and high sense of community contribute to their lower than average crime rates. It is exceptionally safe for women, children and elderly people. However, non-violent crimes like porch theft are a little on the higher side, so make sure not to leave anything outside. 

• Creativity Hub

If you are more of a creative person, you will surely love Utah. Creative professionals are moving to this state due to the flourishing opportunities provided by the creative market.

Also, the famous Sundance Film Festival, which is the largest independent film festival in the USA, offers plenty of opportunities to young creative talents. Eminent directors like Darren Aronofsky and Quentin Tarantino, among many others, got their first break at the Sundance Film festival. Thus many aspiring directors submit their movies to the film festival, in order to gain recognition for their creativity. 

• Great Education System

If you are considering moving to Utah for your education, you will get great colleges and universities around the state. Be it public or private, Utah has you covered. 

Eminent institutes like Southern Utah University, Westminster University, University of Utah, Dixie State University and Brigham Young University call Utah their home. Private school fees are also relatively low at $11,284 a year with the low cost of housing in areas like Provo. So naturally, this excellent education system calls to young talented students making Utah the 10th best state in terms of education. 

Additional Reasons to Move to Utah

• Speciality Food

If you are a foodie, you are going to love Utah. Be it sweet or savory, Utah has a wide range of fusions and speciality dishes to choose from. The people of Utah believe in experimentation and have come up with specialty dishes like funnel potatoes and fry sauce. While these might sound outlandish, we assure you they are going to blow you away. 

When you can ditch the fast-food chains and head straight to their local favorite restaurants for a juicy cheeseburger. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, head over to Iceberg Drive Inn for the most sinful milkshakes.

The smaller cities of Utah are also not far behind the big cities – check out Hell’s Backbone Grill at Boulder for an excellent dining experience.

Several other specialty dishes go particularly well with their beer. Utah people love their beer – Salt Lake City even has its own booming craft beer industry!

• Exciting Winter Sports

If you are wondering what to do in Utah during the weekends, adventure sports is the answer. Utah is perfect for those who enjoy a rush of adrenaline from adventure sports. In addition, it is home to several exciting winter sports, thanks to its diverse landscape. Although it is mostly known as one of the best skiing destinations in the United States, you can also participate in other winter activities like snowshoeing, winter ice fishing, riding a snowmobile, and much more.

You can participate in snowboarding and skiing activities throughout the day and head over for food and drinks at the numerous bars and pubs around the city.

• Home to ‘Fry Sauce’

Utah is known for its specialty dishes. But one word among them stands out as a highly delicious creation by the locals – their special “fry sauce.” No eatery in Utah serves fries without this delicious fry sauce – a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup with an occasional addition of relish. While the dish consists of relatively simple ingredients, it was declared a winner ever since its creation by Arctic Circle, a local food chain in Utah. 

• Best for Star-Gazing

A prime night-time activity in Utah is star-gazing. If you have ever dreamed of star-streaked skies and views of the Milky way, Utah has you covered.

The best places for this activity are Cedar Breaks National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, and Natural Bridges National Monument. You can lay down on the cool grass on a particularly dark and clear night to spot and familiarize yourself with all the stars and constellations visible. 

Conclusion

Living in Utah provides great opportunities - it is ideal for people looking for a laid-back life with ample job opportunities, a safe community, and several activities to participate in. We hope this article provides you with comprehensive details before setting off for your new life in this beautiful state.  

Wait no more, move to the Beehive State, and explore a wide range of possibilities that the place has to offer!