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Utah

Utah

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 40
Population3,331,187
Foreign Born4.9%
Population Density40people per mi²
Median Age31.7 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this state's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

137/100

37% above national average

B
Affordability Ratio

48%

The Real Cost of Living in Utah

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $42k$79k
Comfortable $130k$191k
Luxury $166k+$257k+
Elite (Top 5%) $178k+$276k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
A-
Great

A high-performing local economy. Incomes, home values, and employment meaningfully outpace national averages.

Median HHI
$92k+5.7%
22% above US avg
Avg Net Worth
$722k
10% above US avg
WFH
16.0%
12% above US avg
Homeownership
70.6%
8% above US avg
Median Home
$455k
61% above US avg
Avg HH Debt
$21k
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate
8.6%
25% below US avg
Public Assistance
6.2%
47% below US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
8% below US avg
Median Rent
$1k
21% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B
Safe

Generally safer than 67% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
14.8
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−25.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−12.9%
Homicide
0.02 / 1k Residents62% below US avg
Robbery
0.23 / 1k Residents66% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
1.32 / 1k Residents51% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr−38.0%
Burglary
1.17 / 1k Residents57% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.49 / 1k Residents25% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.94 / 1k Residents67% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+11Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of Utah
Utah Senate6D · 22R
Utah House14D · 61R
Presidential Voting Trends for Utah
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D-
Poor12.1% of income
Property Rights
B-
GoodIJ Grade B-
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Self-sufficient (80% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
F
ProhibitedCasinos · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season152 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall14.5"statewide average
Elevation6,520 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B-
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Utah

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-14T06:21:26.000Z

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