The Most Affordable Cities in Utah

Utah is home to salt lakes, beautiful mountains, and no shortage of ski resorts. From its five national parks to its 2002 Winter Olympics historic past, Utah draws in both nature and sports lovers alike. From first-time homeowners to retirees, if you’re moving to Utah, you’ll want to find an affordable place to live. Here’s our list of the 10 most affordable cities to help inform your choice.

1. Ogden

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.40

Average Property Tax: $1,276

Median Household Income: $50,061

Ogden tops our list of most affordable cities in Utah. Tucked along the mountainside, Ogden is your go-to city if you want convenient access to ski resorts like Snowbasin Resort and Nordic Valley. There’s plenty to do and explore within the city limits. A fan favorite is Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, featuring a museum and over 100 replicas of prehistoric crawlers and flyers.

2. Brigham City

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.39

Average Property Tax: $1,198

Median Household Income: $53,504

Residing along the Wellsville Mountains, Brigham City is the county seat of Box Elder County. Stretch your legs and get some fresh air at Rees Pioneer Park, which features pools and sports courts. Other attractions include the James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center, Brigham City Museum of Art & History, and the hiking trails of Box Elder Canyon.

3. Logan

Home Price to Income Ratio: 4.75

Average Property Tax: $1,211

Median Household Income: $41,833

Logan is a mountainside city located in Cache County. The Logan River runs through the city’s south side, and you can enjoy strolling through one of the riverside parks to drink in the scenery. Other points of interest include Zootah and Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art.

4. Cedar City

Home Price to Income Ratio: 4.47

Average Property Tax: $1,231

Median Household Income: $48,346

Located in southwestern Utah, Cedar City is the largest city in Iron County. Enjoy hiking along the picturesque trails, visiting unique sights like the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, and the landlocked Cedar City Lighthouse; this unique lighthouse is 450 miles from the ocean. If you’re a fan of performance arts, you’ll be thrilled knowing that Cedar City hosts an annual Utah Shakespeare Festival and is home to multiple performing arts venues. 

5. Roy

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.74

Average Property Tax: $1,439

Median Household Income: $70,032

Roy is located southwest of Ogden. Spend your days exploring the parks, playing a few rounds at the golf course, or journeying west and seeing the Great Salt Lake. It’s also a top spot for those wanting to watch millions of migratory birds each season.

6. Clearfield

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.22

Average Property Tax: $1,282

Median Household Income: $60,260

Clearfield is located just four miles south of Roy. With mountains to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west, you’ll find adventure in every direction! If you prefer to stay within city limits, take a leisurely walk through the city parks and browse the local stores.

7. South Ogden

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.12

Average Property Tax: $1,604

Median Household Income: $68,585

South Ogden is a small community of 16,000 residents living, well, just south of Ogden! You’ll find bountiful restaurants, parks, and entertainment centers to explore that will keep you occupied. With the larger Ogden just north, South Ogden makes a convenient, quiet home for those who want to live near the big city without dealing with crowds.

8. Tooele

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.06

Average Property Tax: $1,309

Median Household Income: $63,851

Tooele is located approximately 34 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. Roam the streets of downtown Tooele, where you can enjoy libraries, a mountain mining museum, and historical sights. The Oquirrh Mountains sit just south of the city, making weekend trips for fresh air and hiking a breeze.

9. Magna

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.46

Average Property Tax: $1,208

Median Household Income: $59,334

Home to 26,000 residents, Magna is 15 miles west of Salt Lake City. Enjoy local delights such as the Empress Theater and the Ethnic and Mining Museum of Magna. If you prefer outdoor activities, check out Magna Regional Park or Copper Club Golf Course.

10. Payson

Home Price to Income Ratio: 3.43

Average Property Tax: $1,247

Median Household Income: $67,272

Last but certainly not least is Payson. Located in the Provo-Orem Metropolitan Area, Payson is home to entertainment centers, a community theater, and the Peteetneet Academy and Museum.  Multiple parks in the southern tip of the city are interconnected by hiking and biking trails.

Cities with the Best Home Price to Income Ratio

While the list above is sorted by the lowest overall cost of living index, the following cities have the lowest home price to income ratio, meaning you can get more home for your money.

• Roy
• West Point
• Clinton