No place offers its citizens and visitors a more compelling quality-of-life package than Utah does. Safe, affordable cities, towns and neighborhoods coexist with breathtaking scenery and economic dynamism
quality of life
HIGHLIGHTS Utah combines excellent economic opportunity with a cost of living well below that of other strong economic locales. Utah is home to five national parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas and six national forests. Utah has 14 world-class ski resorts, 10 within a one-hour drive from Salt Lake International Airport.
Economic Vitality and Sound Governance The most entrepreneurial state in the U.S. is also the best-governed and best-positioned for long-term economic recovery and sustainability. Among a host of accolades, the Beehive State garnered the top spot for “Expected Economic Recovery” and “Economic Outlook” from the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 2011 State Economic Competitive Index, while taking top honors on the Forbes list of “The Best Places for Business and Careers” for two consecutive years. Utah’s exceptional economic performance is bolstered by a state government that is continually recognized for fiscal discipline and governing moxie. (See GOVERNMENT chapter in this book for more information.) In a time of persistent economic challenge, Utah continues to shine as a financially sound, stable and dynamic environment for innovation, growth and opportunity. The Fine Art of Happiness Utah consistently ranks high on many measures that indicate the overall well-being of its people. Utahns enjoy a high standard of living in safe, vibrant and affordable communities. In the national Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index, Utah is perennially among the top five states for the happiest populace. While Utah’s median household income ranks eighth nationally (U.S. Census Bureau 2008-2010), Utah communities are also exceptionally affordable from a cost-of-living standpoint. According to Kiplinger’s Best Value Cities 2011, money goes further in Salt Lake City than it does in other major metropolitan areas. The overall cost of living in Salt Lake City (95 percent of the national average) compares favorably with Las Vegas (101 percent), Denver (106), Portland (111), Minneapolis-St. Paul (112), Seattle (120 percent), San Diego (131) and San Francisco (161). Other wellness indicators emphasize Utah’s security, health, vitality and youthfulness, Health, Peace and Safety The state’s residents also enjoy exceptionally strong health. According to the United Health Foundation State Health rankings, Utah was the seventh healthiest state in the U.S. for 2011, with the lowest rates of cancer death, smoking and income disparity. (See Healthcare chapter in this volume for additional information.) Utah and its communities are among the nation’s safest. According to the CQ Press Annual State Crime Ranking, four Utah cities rank among the 100 safest (population of 75,000 or more) in the country: Orem (11), St. George (19), Sandy (69) and West Jordan (82). Youth Will Be Served Utah’s vitality is reinforced by virtue of having the nation’s youngest population and one of the fastest growing. According to U.S. Census Bureau data for 2008, the state’s median age is 29.2, lowest in the nation, while the population growth rate of 1.9 percent in 2011 was the second fastest. Utah also has the second-lowest percentage of the population age 65 and over (9.0 percent). (See Population section in this book for more information.)
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Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development
