Best Cities for Families in Utah
Utah ranks #11 of 50 for families, with a families score of 78.9. Riverton is its best city for families at 64.2.
- Utah, all states
- #11 of 50
- Population
- 45,457
Why Utah Works for Families
Utah is a strong state for families, ranking #11 out of 50. With excellent schools, a low violent crime rate of 235.7 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $96,658, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 98.9.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Utah delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 88.2%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 77/100. Center-based infant care runs $14,533 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Utah performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 235.7 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 98.9, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Riverton | A | 64.2 | 66.3 | 39 | 98 | 46 | 45,457 |
| 2Bountiful | B+ | 63.9 | 62.5 | 40 | 89 | 56 | 45,023 |
| 3Herriman | A | 63.6 | 65.6 | 38 | 99 | 48 | 59,346 |
| 4South Jordan | A+ | 63.5 | 67.3 | 40 | 93 | 46 | 82,686 |
| 5Layton | B+ | 63.4 | 62.0 | 42 | 88 | 59 | 83,286 |
| 6Orem | B+ | 61.3 | 59.2 | 39 | 89 | 61 | 97,182 |
| 7Logan | C+ | 60.3 | 54.3 | 33 | 89 | 70 | 54,907 |
| 8Sandy | B+ | 60.0 | 60.9 | 43 | 80 | 50 | 94,291 |
| 9Provo | B | 59.8 | 56.3 | 45 | 88 | 65 | 114,766 |
| 10Draper | B+ | 58.6 | 62.2 | 40 | 87 | 41 | 50,278 |
| 11Millcreek | B+ | 58.1 | 60.8 | — | — | 53 | 63,648 |
| 12West Jordan | B+ | 57.9 | 58.8 | 34 | 78 | 55 | 116,692 |
| 13Murray | B | 57.0 | 58.7 | 34 | 76 | 58 | 50,188 |
| 14St. George | B | 56.3 | 57.3 | 42 | 89 | 60 | 101,995 |
| 15Ogden | C+ | 55.7 | 53.5 | 45 | 67 | 68 | 87,413 |
| 16Lehi | B+ | 55.6 | 62.1 | 36 | — | 49 | 85,173 |
| 17Taylorsville | C+ | 54.5 | 54.5 | 22 | 82 | 61 | 58,678 |
| 18West Valley City | C+ | 53.2 | 52.9 | 27 | 71 | 61 | 138,437 |
| 19Eagle Mountain | B+ | 52.1 | 59.0 | 37 | — | 52 | 53,290 |
| 20Salt Lake City | C | 45.2 | 49.8 | 38 | 18 | 57 | 208,007 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Utah for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Utah a good state for families?
Utah ranks #11 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 78.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Education (77/100) and its weakest is Livability (20/100).
What is the best city for families in Utah?
Riverton ranks #1 in Utah for families with a score of 64.2/100, followed by Bountiful and Herriman.
What factors are most important for families in Utah?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.