Salt Lake City, UT Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Salt Lake City, UT: What You Need to Know

Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and a bastion of Mormonism. It’s home to the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

A Rich Local History

The state of Utah was named after the Ute tribe, which originally lived in the area along with other Native American tribes. Members of the LDS Church, called Mormons, founded Salt Lake City in 1847. Church leader Brigham Young led the Mormon pioneers to their new home to avoid religious persecution. In 1857, President James Buchanan sent troops to investigate the public outcry over the Mormon practice of polygamy. Young surrendered to federal control. The LDS Church banned polygamy in order for Utah to achieve statehood in 1896.

Things to Do in Salt Lake City

About 20 million people visit Salt Lake City every year. The city is a premier skiing destination. World-class resorts in Snowbird, Park City, Deer Valley, and Brighton are a short drive from Salt Lake City. It’s the gateway to some of the most beautiful parks in the U.S., namely the Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef national parks. Utah landscape has been featured in many Hollywood films, including classic John Ford westerns, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Thelma and Louis,” and “Independence Day.” 

Weather and Climate

Salt Lake City, which stands 4,330 feet above sea level, is flanked by the Wasatch Mountains and Oquirrh Mountains. It has a desert climate, which brings dry and scorching summers, snowy winters, and not much rain. The city receives an average of 54 inches of snow annually, a lot more than the national average of 28 inches per year. The city is prone to droughts, getting only an average of 20 inches of rain per year compared with the national average of 38 inches.

The Cost of Living in Salt Lake City

If you’re moving to Salt Lake City (population: 200,567), you’ll be pleased to know that its cost of living and food costs are 17.3% and 26.1% lower than the national average respectively. However, housing costs are 3.8% higher than the national average. The median gross rent in the city is $938; the median two-bedroom apartment rent is $1,297. Utah levies a flat income tax rate of 4.95% and a sales tax rate of 6.10% to 9.05%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

The Avenues and Capitol Hill neighborhoods in downtown Salt Lake City attract people who want to live close to University of Utah, as well as those who work at state or federal agencies downtown. Both neighborhoods offer reasonable housing options. Sugar House is close to downtown and is also affordable. Newcomers who want a bigger space with a backyard will like the suburbs of Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, and Bluffdale.