Good roads, breathtaking natural scenery, reasonable living costs—there’s a lot to like about living in Utah. But other aspects like higher-than-average property crime rates and blistering desert heat can make it a challenge.

Moving anywhere new is a major change, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before doing so. While Utah might feel like the perfect fit for some, for others, it can leave much to be desired.

Would living in Utah be a good fit for you?

Jerry

, the

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drivers trust to save them time and money on

car insurance

shopping, is here to help you consider your options. Here’s a look at some of the things you can expect if you decide to call the Beehive State home.

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Pro: Pretty average cost of living

With a cost of living index of 102.4, the overall cost of living in Utah is within 2.4% of the national average.

Here’s a breakdown of major figures that play a role in the cost of living in Utah:

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,439 per month, according to

rent.com

Median home sale price: $533,200, according to Redfin

Median household income: $74,197, as of the 2020 census

Utah minimum wage: $7.25 per hour

To live comfortably in Utah, data from MIT’s

Living Wage Calculator

suggests a single adult without kids would generally need to earn at least $16.98 per hour.

Pro/con: Low violent crime rates, but high property crime rates

Utah is frequently considered one of the safest states due to its low violent crime rates. However, crime data in Utah overall is a bit of a mixed bag.

FBI data shows Utah’s violent crime is well below national averages, but property crime occurs at a significantly higher rate.

While property crime had been on the decline since 2015, it saw a steep uptick again in 2020—one of the steepest areas of incline being auto theft at a rate of about 316 incidents per 100,000 people compared to a national average of about 246.

Depending on what Utah city you choose to live in, keep in mind the local property crime rate could have an impact on what you pay for car or home insurance—and what amount of coverage you should look for.

MORE:

25 experiences for the ultimate Utah bucket list

Con: You’ll have to get used to desert heat

If you’re planning to move to Utah, prepare yourself early: the desert heat can be unforgiving.

Most of Utah falls under a semi-arid desert climate. In July, the average lowest humidity is just 35.9%, making it one of the driest states in the country.

Temperature and precipitation ranges can vary greatly depending on where you are in the state and your elevation. High temperatures in July can easily extend into the 90s, but the lack of humidity can help to make it a little more tolerable.

To stay cool during the hottest parts of summer, try to limit your outdoor activities to early mornings and evenings.

Pro: Gorgeous natural surroundings

Utah’s climate may be largely desert, but that doesn’t mean it’s void of natural splendors—far from it, in fact. The state has a highly variable landscape that features snow-capped mountains, sand dunes, caves, deep canyons, and sprawling lakes.

Utah is also spoiled in that it’s home to

five national parks

Zion National Park

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

If you’re an outdoors enthusiast, Utah’s many natural wonders are bound to keep you busy year-round. When hiking across desert terrain has you feeling overheated, you can retreat to the Wasatch Mountain Range for skiing and snowboarding, or spend the day on some refreshing waters—like the Great Salt Lake or Bear Lake, perhaps.

When night falls, most parts of Utah are also fantastic for stargazing opportunities.

MORE:

25 experiences for the ultimate Utah bucket list

Pro: Lower risk of natural disasters

If safety from natural disasters is important to you, you may be glad to know that the majority of Utah counties are relatively low-risk, according to FEMA’s

National Risk Index

assessment.

There are a couple of significant exceptions to this, however. Salt Lake County has a relatively high risk of avalanches, as well as higher risks for landslides, wildfires, flooding, and earthquakes.

To the southwest, Washington County is at an even higher risk, largely due to its vulnerability to landslides, wildfires, and flooding.

These risks are something you’d want to keep in mind as you weigh your coverage options for home and car insurance.

MORE:

Does car insurance cover natural disasters?

Pro: It’s a great place for history enthusiasts

For history buffs, Utah has plenty of historic sites and museums to offer across a rich variety of subjects.

For instance, there’s not just one, but multiple dinosaur museum parks. Intrigued by ghost towns? Utah has plenty that are open to public exploration. Beyond these, there are practically endless lists of sites and museums that offer a deeper understanding of Utah and the many people who have called it home for thousands of years.

Utah’s archival resources, like the

Family History Library

in Salt Lake City, also make it a popular place for people to investigate their own personal histories as well.

MORE:

The best ghost towns to visit in Utah

Pro: Low income tax rate

Living in nearby Nevada would mean you wouldn’t be responsible for any income tax at the state level.

However, Utah’s

income tax rate

is still relatively low when compared to many other states, and the rate is fixed at 4.85%, regardless of your income level.

MORE:

Utah car insurance laws

Pro: Some of the best roads in the nation

Another perk of living in Utah as a car owner: it’s a pretty pleasant place to drive.

Utah routinely ranks as having some of the best road conditions in the nation, which is largely attributed to its investments in infrastructure at the state level, as well as low collision fatality rates.

Conveniently, good-quality roads that are safe to drive on can translate to

low car insurance rates

, meaning you might be able to score coverage costs for yourself as a result. Oh, and it could also help you spend less on maintenance and repairs, too, thanks to less wear and tear.

MORE:

How bad is Salt Lake City traffic?

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Is Utah a good state to live in?

Utah certainly can be a good state to live in, but whether or not you’ll enjoy it will depend on your lifestyle and budget. Just like with any major decision, you’ll want to do your research and carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding to make your big move.

Utah can be an especially appealing state for:

Outdoors enthusiasts

History buffs

People seeking a reasonable cost of living

Car owners

On the flip side, if you prefer lush, green pastures or coastal beaches over canyons, mountains, and desert topographies, you might want to consider living elsewhere.

MORE:

How to find temporary car insurance in Utah

How to upgrade your car insurance in Utah

Relocating to Utah? When you get here, there are a couple of things you’ll need to take care of: re-registering your car in Utah and updating your

car insurance

coverage

Luckily, there’s a quick and easy way to take care of the latter: it’s called the

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With Jerry, insurance shopping is just a matter of answering a few basic questions. From there, you can start comparing customized quotes from top insurance providers, all in one spot—making it easier than ever to ensure you’re not overpaying for your

Utah car insurance costs

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Once you’ve picked the right policy for you, Jerry can make the process of switching to your new provider a breeze. The best part? Drivers who end up finding their car insurance with Jerry save over $800 per year!

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FAQs

Is Utah in Tornado Alley?

No, Utah isn’t part of tornado alley. While tornadoes can technically happen anywhere, FEMA’s National Risk Index assigns a low tornado risk for the majority of the state.

What are the winters like in Utah?

It depends on what part of the state you’re in. Average low temperatures can generally fall to the low 20s during the coldest parts of the year. It also snows—a lot.

The state overall gets about 53 inches per year, the Cottonwood Canyons is one of the planet’s snowiest places and can receive a jaw-dropping 500+ inches of snow in a single year.

Is Utah racially diverse?

As of the 2020 census, 70.2% of Utah residents identified as white and not of Hispanic or Latino descent. 14.8% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 2.7% identified as Asian, and 1.5% identified as Black or African American. You can take a look at additional Utah demographics data

here

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