Best Cities for Young Professionals in Utah
Utah ranks #7 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 68.8. South Jordan is its best city for young professionals at 69.0.
- Utah, all states
- #7 of 50
- Population
- 82,686
Why Utah Works for Young Professionals
Utah ranks #7 out of 50 for young professionals — a top destination for ambitious early-career workers. The state's economy scores 66/100, reflecting a strong job market with 3.6% unemployment and a median household income of $96,658. Population growth of 1.03% signals that people — and employers — are actively choosing Utah.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 98.9, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Utah's livability score of 20/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation infrastructure scores well (60/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1South Jordan | A+ | 69.0 | 67.3 | 82 | 60 | 67 | 82,686 |
| 2Riverton | A | 67.9 | 66.3 | 79 | 59 | 66 | 45,457 |
| 3Herriman | A | 66.8 | 65.6 | 78 | 59 | 59 | 59,346 |
| 4Lehi | B+ | 65.8 | 62.1 | 82 | 68 | 44 | 85,173 |
| 5Eagle Mountain | B+ | 63.9 | 59.0 | 70 | 92 | 30 | 53,290 |
| 6Layton | B+ | 62.3 | 62.0 | 69 | 55 | 55 | 83,286 |
| 7Draper | B+ | 62.2 | 62.2 | 78 | 51 | 45 | 50,278 |
| 8Bountiful | B+ | 61.8 | 62.5 | 69 | 42 | 64 | 45,023 |
| 9Murray | B | 60.4 | 58.7 | 61 | 41 | 72 | 50,188 |
| 10Sandy | B+ | 60.2 | 60.9 | 71 | 36 | 63 | 94,291 |
| 11West Jordan | B+ | 60.2 | 58.8 | 70 | 43 | 58 | 116,692 |
| 12Millcreek | B+ | 59.6 | 60.8 | 66 | 39 | 71 | 63,648 |
| 13St. George | B | 58.9 | 57.3 | 56 | 63 | 42 | 101,995 |
| 14Orem | B+ | 58.7 | 59.2 | 59 | 31 | 70 | 97,182 |
| 15Provo | B | 57.3 | 56.3 | 53 | 39 | 60 | 114,766 |
| 16Taylorsville | C+ | 56.9 | 54.5 | 58 | 36 | 65 | 58,678 |
| 17West Valley City | C+ | 55.4 | 52.9 | 61 | 36 | 62 | 138,437 |
| 18Salt Lake City | C | 55.2 | 49.8 | 56 | 46 | 70 | 208,007 |
| 19Ogden | C+ | 54.3 | 53.5 | 51 | 44 | 63 | 87,413 |
| 20Logan | C+ | 53.6 | 54.3 | 52 | 29 | 43 | 54,907 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Utah for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Utah a good state for young professionals?
Utah ranks #7 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 68.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (76/100) and its weakest is Livability (20/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Utah?
South Jordan ranks #1 in Utah for young professionals with a score of 69.0/100, followed by Riverton and Herriman.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Utah?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.