Salt Lake City Area, UT 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Salt Lake Area Cost of Living

The cost of living in the Salt Lake City Area is slightly higher than the national average, although residents sometimes pay less in utilities and transportation costs, ensuring that active adults on a fixed income have the opportunity to fully enjoy all that Salt Lake City has to offer. Median home costs are generally higher than the national average, while still remaining relatively affordable, especially compared with the most expensive places to live in the United States.

State income tax in Utah is currently a flat 4.85 percent, according to Kiplinger, and the state typically taxes property owners $520 per $100,000 of home value, one of the lowest rates in the country. Although Utah does tax social security benefits, the state does not collect an estate tax or inheritance tax. There are also property tax breaks for active adults with income below a certain level.

Home prices in the Beehive State typically range from the mid $300s to the high $800s, although there may be some properties outside this range. The median home price in Utah is currently in the low $500s, down marginally from previous years. There are dozens of attractive 55+ communities to choose from in the Salt Lake City area, most of which are outside of Salt Lake City proper, ensuring that active adult residents can enjoy the serenity of mountain living while staying close to the myriad entertainment opportunities afforded by the downtown area.

Salt Lake Area Climate and Geography

The average elevation of the Salt Lake City area is around 4,300 feet above sea level, making for relatively snowy winters and drier summers in this mountainous region. January tends to be the coldest month, with an average temperature of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but winter temperatures rarely fall below zero. The average amount of precipitation usually falls somewhere between 15 and 20 inches per year, between both rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures occasionally climb into the 90s in the summer, but wind from the Great Salt Lake and the elevation help the area stay cooler and drier in the summer. The region’s relatively low humidity levels also help residents feel cooler in the summer months.

Recreation, Culture, and Entertainment Near Salt Lake

The Salt Lake City area offers a wealth of shopping, dining, and entertainment options throughout the city, suburbs, and exurbs, making this a desirable location for active adults looking to relocate. Avid golfers and beginners alike will enjoy the many courses in the area, some of which include Bonneville Golf Course, Pebblebrook Golf Course, and the Copper Club Golf Course.

Museums in the area include Clark Planetarium, the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Active adults looking for nightlife and entertainment in the area will enjoy proximity to theaters such as the Alliance Theater, the Capitol Theater, and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.

Outdoors enthusiasts will love all the opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing in the area. Popular hikes include City Creek Canyon, Ensign Peak, Mount Olympus, and Bell’s Canyon Trail. Active adults interested in skiing will enjoy the many ski resorts in the Salt Lake City area, including Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude. Nearby state parks include Great Salt Lake State Park, Wasatch Mountain State Park, and East Canyon State Park, and the Great Salt Lake itself is a magnet for those looking to enjoy some time on or around the water.

Salt Lake City also boasts a wide array of restaurants, from food trucks to fine dining eateries. There are a number of breweries in the area, such as Red Rock Brewing Company and Epic Brewery. Wine lovers will have plenty of options to choose from, including William Cooper Winery, The Hive Winery, and La Caille Winery and Vineyards.

Salt Lake Healthcare

There are several hospitals and medical centers throughout the Salt Lake City area, including St. Mark’s Hospital, which is Utah’s oldest, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, a family hospital with a comprehensive list of services, and the University of Utah health system, which has multiple locations throughout the region. Pharmacy needs can be met at CVS or Walgreens, both of which have multiple locations in the Salt Lake City area.