Salt Lake County

Utah · UT

#29 in Utah
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Salt Lake County, Utah

Salt Lake County scores well above average

Salt Lake County's composite score of 62.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 25%, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. As Utah's largest metro, it offers measurable livability advantages across multiple dimensions despite some affordability tradeoffs.

Slightly below Utah average but top tier

With a score of 62.3, Salt Lake County sits just below the state average of 72.1, yet remains highly competitive among larger, more complex urban counties. Its rank reflects the inherent tension between economic opportunity and cost of living in an expanding metropolitan area.

Strong incomes and professional job market

Salt Lake County's income score of 45.2 and median household income of $94,658 lead the study group, reflecting robust professional employment and economic growth. Health outcomes also score well at 73.3, and the county maintains a favorable tax score of 86.4, balancing earning power with reasonable tax rates.

Housing costs price out many families

The county's cost score of 55.6 reveals significant affordability pressure, with a median home value of $484,500 and median rent of $1,493 per month—the highest among these counties. Notably, the risk score of just 1.4 indicates limited natural disaster resilience, which may concern some long-term planners.

Best for professionals prioritizing career growth

Salt Lake County appeals to young professionals and established workers drawn to a thriving job market and urban amenities, despite higher housing costs. It rewards higher earners and those with flexible housing budgets who value economic opportunity and health services over maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.4Cost55.6SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome45.2Risk1.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠55.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼45.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
1.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Salt Lake County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Salt Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Salt Lake taxes match the national median

Salt Lake County's median property tax of $2,726 aligns almost perfectly with the national median of $2,690, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. At an effective rate of 0.563%, the county sits slightly above Utah's state average of 0.498%, reflecting its mix of urban and suburban properties.

Middle of the pack in Utah

Salt Lake County ranks 15th among Utah's 29 counties by effective tax rate at 0.563%, just above the state average. The county's median tax of $2,726 exceeds the statewide median of $1,815, driven by higher property values and a moderate tax rate.

Higher taxes than most neighboring counties

Salt Lake County's 0.563% effective rate edges above nearby Tooele County (0.589%) and notably exceeds rural neighbors like Sanpete County (0.511%). Despite being the state's largest county by population, Salt Lake's tax burden sits in the moderate range regionally.

Median home tax runs $2,726 per year

A typical Salt Lake County home valued at $484,500 generates an annual property tax bill of $2,726. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly less ($2,704), while those owning outright pay slightly more ($2,784).

Appeal if your assessment seems high

With thousands of properties assessed annually across Salt Lake County, assessment errors do occur and can inflate your tax bill. Requesting a formal appeal with supporting comparable-sales data could reveal legitimate savings for many homeowners.

Cost of Living in Salt Lake County

via CostByCounty

Salt Lake faces steeper housing costs

Salt Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% exceeds the national standard, meaning renters here dedicate nearly one-fifth of their income to housing. Though the county's median household income of $94,658 is 26% higher than the national average of $74,755, rising rents have outpaced wage growth.

Above-average costs in Utah's largest county

Salt Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% ranks above Utah's 16.6% state average, reflecting the region's stronger demand and limited inventory. At $1,493 per month, the county's median rent is 36% higher than the state average of $1,101.

The price of living near the metro

Salt Lake County's $1,493 rent far exceeds nearby Tooele County ($1,134) and Summit County's pricier $1,969 for owner costs, but the metro's job market commands a premium. Renters here pay notably more than counties on Utah's periphery, though incomes also reflect the urban advantage.

Housing absorbs a larger share here

Salt Lake renters spend $1,493 monthly while homeowners average $1,668, consuming 18.9% to 21.2% of a median $94,658 household income. This means the typical family dedicates roughly $22,600 annually to housing costs—a significant commitment in the region's competitive market.

Salt Lake offers opportunity with trade-offs

The county's strong median income and vibrant job market attract newcomers willing to accept higher housing costs for urban advantages. If you're considering Salt Lake, weigh the premium rents and ownership costs against the region's economic opportunities and amenities.

Income & Jobs in Salt Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Salt Lake's income leads the nation sharply

Salt Lake County's median household income of $94,658 towers 26.6% above the national median of $74,755, ranking it among the highest-earning counties nationally. This $19,903 premium reflects the county's robust job market and economic diversification.

Top earner in Utah's income hierarchy

Salt Lake County's $94,658 median income ranks it second in Utah, surpassed only by Summit County. The per capita income of $43,393 leads all Utah counties except Summit, demonstrating concentrated wealth and strong earning power across households.

Outpacing Utah's economic peers significantly

Salt Lake County's income nearly matches Summit County ($137,058) among high-earning peers and far exceeds mid-tier counties like Tooele ($101,846) and Sevier ($73,765). Its economic dominance reflects the region's status as Utah's primary employment and business center.

Housing costs rising with incomes

Despite strong incomes, Salt Lake County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio is climbing, reflecting $1,497 monthly rent against median household income. While still below the 30% affordability threshold, the ratio shows housing demand pressing against income growth in the region.

Leverage premium income for wealth accumulation

Salt Lake County residents earning nearly $20,000 above the national average have exceptional capacity to build wealth through diversified investments and real estate appreciation. With strong income but rising housing costs, strategic financial planning becomes essential to maximize long-term wealth.

Health in Salt Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Salt Lake County exceeds U.S. life expectancy

Residents live an average of 78.5 years, nearly 2.1 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 15.6% report poor or fair health, matching the national rate and reflecting generally solid wellness across Utah's largest county.

Above Utah's health average

Salt Lake County's 78.5-year life expectancy edges out Utah's state average of 77.9 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The county's urban density and healthcare infrastructure support this slight advantage.

Urban advantage over rural peers

Salt Lake County's 78.5-year life expectancy surpasses rural neighbors like Tooele County (77.1 years) and Sanpete County (77.2 years). The difference reflects Salt Lake's concentrated healthcare resources and larger provider networks.

Strong provider network, manageable coverage gap

Salt Lake County offers 76 primary care providers and 586 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far above rural county averages. The 10.4% uninsured rate is just slightly above the state average, indicating most residents have insurance access to this robust healthcare system.

Find coverage in Utah's largest county

With 10.4% of Salt Lake County residents uninsured, signing up through Healthcare.gov or the Utah state marketplace takes minutes and may reveal subsidies or employer plans. Salt Lake's abundant health providers mean covered residents gain quick access to appointments and specialists.

Disaster Risk in Salt Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Salt Lake faces higher-than-average disaster risk

At 98.57, Salt Lake County's composite risk score places it in the relatively high category and well above the national average. The county experiences significant exposure to floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

Utah's riskiest county by far

Salt Lake County's score of 98.57 towers over Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the state's highest-risk county. This reflects the concentration of population, infrastructure, and diverse hazard exposure across the Wasatch Front.

Risk significantly exceeds surrounding counties

Salt Lake County's risk is nearly 40 points higher than Summit County (60.08) and Tooele County (48.89) combined pressures. The urban footprint and geography create unique vulnerabilities not seen in neighboring rural areas.

Four hazards demand serious attention

Earthquakes (99.62), wildfires (98.35), and floods (92.94) rank among Salt Lake County's gravest threats, joined by notable tornado risk (70.96). Each hazard type requires distinct preparation and coverage strategies.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

Standard homeowners insurance in Salt Lake County should be supplemented with earthquake coverage, flood insurance, and wildfire protection depending on your location. Contact your agent about a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan covering all four primary hazards.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.