Utah
Utah ranks #2 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 82.4/100 and a A+ grade. Its strongest category is Education (94/100) and its weakest is Livability (23/100).
How Does Utah Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Utah
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Lehi | A+ | 66.0 | 90,229 | $129,274 | 80.3 | 95 |
| 61 | Millcreek | A+ | 65.5 | 63,342 | $98,502 | — | — |
| 93 | Riverton | A+ | 64.0 | 44,944 | $119,093 | 56.5 | — |
| 96 | Herriman | A+ | 63.9 | 57,336 | $118,446 | 69.2 | — |
| 103 | South Jordan | A | 63.5 | 84,508 | $126,974 | 87.9 | 96.4 |
| 145 | Eagle Mountain | A | 61.9 | 49,514 | $105,576 | — | — |
| 178 | Bountiful | A | 61.0 | 45,093 | $103,723 | 50.8 | — |
| 187 | Draper | A | 60.7 | 50,159 | $130,680 | 172 | 96.4 |
| 268 | Layton | B+ | 58.5 | 83,523 | $99,866 | 127.9 | 95.1 |
| 282 | Sandy | B+ | 58.0 | 91,934 | $108,926 | 169 | 96.4 |
| 355 | West Jordan | B | 56.4 | 114,908 | $105,396 | 320.2 | 96.4 |
| 368 | St. George | B | 56.1 | 104,592 | $77,431 | 174.6 | 96.1 |
| 369 | Orem | B | 56.1 | 95,514 | $82,348 | 154.2 | 95 |
| 410 | Logan | B | 55.1 | 53,923 | $56,764 | 206.7 | 92.9 |
| 423 | Provo | B | 54.8 | 113,355 | $62,556 | 175.6 | 95 |
| 424 | Murray | B | 54.8 | 49,904 | $87,864 | 306.5 | 96.4 |
| 568 | Taylorsville | C+ | 51.8 | 59,010 | $85,608 | — | 96.4 |
| 586 | West Valley City | C+ | 51.3 | 134,466 | $80,889 | — | — |
| 643 | Ogden | C+ | 49.8 | 87,272 | $65,035 | 570.5 | 95.1 |
| 695 | Salt Lake City | C | 48.5 | 209,606 | $72,951 | 882.9 | 96.4 |
Best Cities in Utah for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Millcreek | 67.8 | 93.9 | 76.3 | 57.0 |
| 2 | Lehi | 62.8 | 36.0 | 96.4 | 61.5 |
| 3 | Herriman | 61.3 | 38.4 | 97.1 | 54.3 |
| 4 | Riverton | 61.0 | 38.7 | 96.6 | 55.0 |
| 5 | South Jordan | 61.0 | 39.9 | 93.1 | 59.7 |
More West States
Utah Rankings Overview
Utah earns an overall grade of A+ with a composite score of 82.4 out of 100, ranking #2 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (94/100) while its biggest challenge is Livability (23/100).
Economy & Employment in Utah
With an unemployment rate of 3.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Utah performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $87,804, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Utah
Utah's violent crime rate of 228 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Utah
Utah ranks #5 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #4 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Utah is 79.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Utah
Utah's total tax burden is 9.46% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.55%. The effective property tax rate is 0.55% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.42%.
Housing & Affordability in Utah
The median home price in Utah is $548,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 95 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
Environment in Utah
Utah has a median air quality index of 44 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 15% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 28.3 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Utah
Utah's population growth rate is +1.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +0.9 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 95.4% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Utah
The top-ranked cities in Utah based on our composite scoring are Lehi, Millcreek, and Riverton. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Utah's overall ranking?
Utah ranks #2 out of 50 states with a composite score of 82.4/100 and a grade of A+.
Is Utah a good place to live?
Utah ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 82.4/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Utah?
The violent crime rate in Utah is 228 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Utah's economy compare?
Utah's median household income is $87,804 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Utah?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Utah are Lehi, Millcreek, and Riverton.
How does Utah rank for families?
Utah ranks #3 of 50 states for families with a score of 85.8/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Utah rank for retirees?
Utah ranks #5 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 78.6/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Utah rank for remote workers?
Utah ranks #11 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 64.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.