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Utah's mountainous landscapes, outdoorsy appeal, and western vibes draw many people into the Mountain West region. We analyzed external and internal moving trend data to understand the number of people living in and moving within Utah's borders, identify the most popular and fastest-growing areas, and determine why Utahns choose certain Utah cities.
Utah's growth has slowed somewhat, but it reached over 3.5 million people in 2025. The Beehive State welcomed a little over 26,000 incoming residents, topping Consumer Affairs' "Best States to Move to in 2025" list. Considering the number of births minus any residents passing away, a total of 50,392 people became Utahns in 2024.
One side note – Following the Utah Legislature's passage of bill SB230, which makes their nickname official, we refer to Utah residents as "Utahns."
The Beehive State is Popular: What Utah Areas Are Residents Calling Home?
A Utah Demographics article, “Utah Cities by Population (2025)," shows Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and West Jordan holding the highest numbers of residents. Provo and St. George round out the top five most populous cities.
- Salt Lake City = 217,783
- West Valley City = 138,144
- West Jordan = 116,688
Bailey’s Moving dug into its own 2024 local moving data for Utah in a recent article, “2025 Local Moving Guide: Most Popular Cities and Neighborhoods in Colorado and Utah,” highlighting the top 10 inbound cities. Here they are, including their populations from Utah Demographics’ “Utah Cities by Population (2025).”
- North Salt Lake = 23,593
- Salt Lake City = 217,783
- Draper = 50,166
- Lehi = 93,446
- Holladay = 30,588
- St. George = 106,288
- Sugar House (a Salt Lake City neighborhood) = 34,176
- Bountiful = 45,024
- Farmington = 26,163
- East Millcreek = 64,217
Considering a Local Move in Utah? Look at Utah’s Counties to Help Decide Where
People are discovering new places to call home across the state, with thriving job markets, family-friendly communities, and expansive open spaces. Because each county offers a different story, where you go next matters just as much as how you get there. Counties are booming with new opportunities and growth, while others keep their small-town charm and slower pace.
The Utah Business press release, “Utah’s population reached 3,506,838 on July 1, 2024,” provided growth insights on a county level in 2024:
Key County Insights:
- Utah County had the most growth, logging 21,853 new residents from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024.
- Utah County contributed at least 43% to Utah's population increase.
- Net Migration: 50% of county growth was net migration.
- Fastest County Growth (with 5,000+ populations):
- Tooele – 3.1%
- Piute – over 2%
- Utah – over 2%
- Washington – over 2%
- Rich – over 2%
- Iron – over 2%
- Wasatch – over 2%
Interested in Utah County? Read our article, “Top Tips for Moving to Utah County, Utah.”
Who is Moving to Utah? Surprise! Younger People and Californians Are the New Utahns
The Utah population is shifting towards a younger demographic and becoming more diverse. According to KSL.com, people aged 18 to 30 are more likely to call the Beehive State their new home. The article, "Utah Population Overview 2025 – Growth, Demographics, and More," from NCHstats, showed ethnic minorities and the growing number of Latinos representing 25% of the community. The state has a younger side with a median age of 31.3. Males are slightly younger, with a 30.8 median age, and females are at 31.8 years.
California is losing many residents to Utah. A Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s 2024 report showed that Californians represented the highest number of people flowing into Utah. Salt Lake City welcomes 23% of new residents from the Golden State, and roughly 21% of former Californians are moving to Saratoga Springs, Payson, and Southwest Lehi.
Local Moving Trends
That same Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute 2024 report shed light on local moving trends. Like any state, county-to-county moves often account for community population shifts, and Utah is no exception, with 3% of Utahns moving to a new county. Many counties within Utah's borders are moving to Tooele County. In 2024, Bailey's Moving logged 200 local moves in Utah.
Why Do People Move to Utah? Let’s Count the Main Reasons Why
Reason #1 – Quality of Life
Overall, "goodness" is mentioned first because it encompasses job and income opportunities, fosters community trust and safety, and offers a lifestyle that fuels happiness. The Beehive State grabbed the 8th spot in WalletHub's "Best States to Live In" article. WalletHub ranked the states for affordability, economy, education & health, quality of life, and safety.
- Total Score = 57.94
- Affordability - 6
- Economy -19
- Education & Health – 2
- Quality of Life – 29
- Safety - 23
Reason #2 - Outdoor Access
Utah has a broad outdoorsy appeal. Ask anyone why they are moving to or living there, and they will likely say it's outdoor recreation. People love hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing, skiing, backpacking, and camping, and who would blame them? An Outdoor Industry Association report supports this insight by showing how each state's outdoor recreation economy contributes to the U.S. economy with direct jobs, the number of participants, and the participation rate. Here is Utah's breakdown as of 2023:
- Number of Direct Jobs: 71,898
- Number of Participants: 1,626,695
- Participation Rate: 50.3%
- Snow Activities: ranked 3rd in the state
- Bicycling: ranked 15th in the state
- Climbing/hiking/tent camping: ranked 21st in the state
Reason #3 – Natural Beauty
It's a stunning place to live. In the Embrace Someplace article, "15 Jaw-Dropping States in America You Must See to Believe," Utah ranked fifth in a list of most beautiful states, above Colorado, which ranked seventh. It might be hard to find a bad view from your window.
Reason #4 – National Park Access
Did someone say, “road trip?” National Geographic named Utah’s The Mighty Five national parks as highly revered for resident travelers in its article, “The essential guide to visiting Utah.” The five include:
- Arches (Moab)
- Canyonlands (Moab)
- Zion (southwest)
- Bryce Canyon (southwest)
- Capitol Reef (central)
Affordability Versus Popularity: Where Are Utah's Most Affordable & Favorite Areas?
That same Consumer Affairs editorial ranked Utah second in affordability, which likely accounts for some of its popularity.
Utah’s Affordability
The Redfin article, "12 Most Affordable Places to Live in Utah in 2025," ranked these cities on median home price, household income, and average 1-bedroom apartment monthly rent:
#1. Ogden
Median home price: $372,805
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,257
Median household income: $55,974
This mid-sized city, home to over 87,000 residents, offers access to Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley, and the Ogden Botanical Gardens.
#2. Logan
Median home price: $382,500
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,547
Median household income: $43,056
Smaller in size, the 52,800 people living here can visit Providence Cave.
#3: Provo
Median home price: $425,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,374
Median household income: $50,072
Third-place Provo is home to 115,000 people and is among the largest cities in Utah. Salt Lake City, the closest major metro area, is 45 miles away. Constituents in this Garden City can hike to Mt. Timpanogos’ summit.
#4: Taylorsville
Median home price: $452,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,428
Median household income: $81,417
The 57,100 residents living in this suburban area have a short 10-mile drive to Salt Lake City. Taylorsville’s green spaces include Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park, Fore Lakes Golf Course, and Millrace Park.
#5: West Valley City
Median home price: $459,900
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,426
Median household income: $43,056
An estimated 140,200 people live in West Valley City. It is 11 miles away from Salt Lake City. Residents can see a show at USANA Amphitheatre and a Utah Grizzlies game at Maverik Center.
#6: West Jordan
Median home price: $500,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,385
Median household income: $84,722
Ranked sixth on affordability, West Jordan has over 116,000 residents. This mid-sized city offers parks, biking, the Jordan River Parkway Trail, and Conservation Garden Park.
#7: Saratoga Springs
Median home price: $509,450
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,336
Median household income: $117,005
Roughly 52,500 people call this town along Utah Lake home. The Israel Canyon Trailhead, Saratoga Hot Springs, Inlet Park, and the Jordan River Parkway Trail appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.
#8: St. George
Median home price: $515,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,639
Median household income: $59,989
Home to over 95,000 people, St. George residents like this city’s affordability and its outdoor areas, including Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, the New Bearclaw Poppy Navajo Trailhead, and the St. George Narrows.
#9: Eagle Mountain
Median home price: $520,000
Median household income: $100,837
Further down this list but still affordable, its 56,900 residents make Eagle Mountain a mid-sized city. Provo is a close major metro area, located just 30 miles away.
#10: Lehi
Median home price: $525,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,489
Median household income: $117,243
Only 17 miles from Provo and perched on the edge of Utah Lake, Lehi’s over 90,000 community members can enjoy Northlake Park, Willow Park, and Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point.
#11: Orem
Median home price: $532,750
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,330
Median household income: $65,622
Orem only seven miles from Provo for its 98,100 constituents. Local attractions include Provo Canyon and Powell Slough Waterfowl Management Area.
#12: Layton
Median home price: $535,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,447
Median household income: $43,056
A suburb of Ogden with close to 82,000 residents, Layton has the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and Adams Canyon Trail.
Utah’s Favorites
If you're considering a move to Utah or are a resident looking to relocate, Utah offers several popular areas to explore. U.S. News & World Report ranked Utah cities in its article “13 Best Places to Live in Utah in the U.S. in 2025-2026.”
Here’s the 2025 ranking of Utah’s Most Popular Cities:
#1. South Jordan
- Ranked #1 best place to live in Utah
- Workers tout a higher median income
- Who loves it? Families looking for great schools and professionals
#2. Sandy
- Part of its appeal – A short drive to Salt Lake City and the Silicon Slopes Tech Corridor
- Who loves it? Outdoorsy people and those who value healthcare access
#3. Layton
- On the affordability list and a more central location for shorter commutes
- Who loves it? People who want to know their neighbors or are looking for a job
#4. Lehi
- Lehi is a fast-growing population with younger residents
- Who loves it? Lehi is great for techies and job seekers
#5. West Jordan
- A larger city with over 111,000 constituents
- Who loves it? Families and young professionals who want a hot job market
#6. Orem
- A younger crowd with a median rent of $1,22 3
- Who loves it? Professionals who enjoy an average commute of 16.22 minutes
#7. St. George
- Warm climate and scenic desert landscapes
- Who loves it? Popular with retirees and remote workers
#8. Taylorsville
- A city with a vibrant job market and lower unemployment than the national average
- Who loves it? People who are looking for love with 53% of single residents
#9. Logan
- A smaller city population of around 56,000 people
- Who loves it? With over 50% of unmarried residents, single people are ready to mingle
#10. West Valley City
- A larger city and a 31.8 median age
- Who loves it? Working professionals and single residents
#11. Provo
- Local movers are eyeing Provo’s lower average monthly rent and 15.11-minute commute
- Who loves it? Attractive to renters and hybrid workers
#12. Ogden
- Great for renters with a median $1,099 rent
- Who loves it? Professionals who enjoy an average commute of 15.11 minutes
#13. Salt Lake City
- A larger city with a median age over 30, and 66% of the community is single
- Who loves it? Working residents looking for a median household income above $80,000
No state is flawless, and one person’s challenge is another’s dream. Redfin’s article, “10 Pros and Cons of Living in Utah,” breaks down the pros and cons of life in Utah. Read these pros and cons before you pack and head to Utah or book a local move.
Pros:
- Utah life calls to the adventurous. Utahns have five national parks and over 40 state parks to hike, ski, and camp. Utahns can bike, jog, or walk along miles of backcountry trails.
- You can find a sense of community in Utah. People living in the towns and suburbs often know and support their neighbors.
- Public transit supports downtown, the airport, and the major university. Living in or close enough to a city, residents can take advantage of the Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) bus network, light rail (TRAX), and commuter trains (FrontRunner).
Cons:
- Utah’s popularity and growth are not surprisingly increasing the median home price in Salt Lake City, Draper, and other areas.
- It’s partly a desert. Utah is arid or semi-arid, and some areas are a true desert. Ask anyone who lives in a sunny and drier climate about skin and respiratory issues.
- The unique mountain-locked geography of the Ogden to Springville corridor experiences a unique climate effect during the winter, known as "inversion," where pollutants and haze are locked over the cities, and this can create bleak skies and harsh air, especially tough on those with respiratory illness. It's often worse in the Salt Lake Valley.
- The state's smaller towns and suburbs have a less active social life compared to the larger cities, such as Salt Lake City.
Conclusion: Utah’s Story Keeps Growing—and You Can Be Part of It
If you're already here and ready for a local change—or planning to join the thousands of new Utahns making the move—choose a city or county for its breathtaking views, job market, or affordability. Use this article's lists and county details to discover new areas or as a starting point.
Ready to make your move? Bailey's Moving is here to help. Request your free moving estimate today and take the first step toward a smoother, smarter local move.
