This article looks at the best places to retire in Utah. If you wish to skip our analysis of retirement in Utah, you may head over to the 5 Best Places to Retire in Utah.
Retirement in Utah
When Americans dream of the perfect retirement destination, the state of Utah isn’t likely to be at the top of most peoples’ list. The Beehive State is far from being a tax haven, with an average cost of living that is 14.2% higher than the US average. Furthermore, Redfin Corporation (NASDAQ: RDFN) reports that Utah’s median home price for February 2024 was $542,000, which is approximately 31.6% higher than the national median for the same period.
Unlike other retirement friendly states, Utah still taxes social security in 2024, as well as 401Ks, while other forms of pension incomes are subject to partial taxes. There are also no tax exemptions for withdrawals from retirement accounts. Although property taxes in the state are very low at just 0.57%, its inflated home prices diminish this relief as well.
On the other hand, those who do envision retiring in Utah might feel that its high cost of living and taxes are a bang for their buck. While sizzling summers and snowy winters aren’t a welcoming proposition, in Utah’s case they perfectly complement the natural beauty of the state. Utah is one of 3 US states with 5 major national parks. Moreover, it is renowned for exceptional healthcare and relatively low crime rates, two factors that are of great importance to retirees.
Last year, Utah ranked number 6 in Insider Monkey’s list of 15 Best States To Live In: 2023 Rankings. Among other factors, its crime rate and healthcare were two major reasons for this ranking. In addition, Utah topped our list of 25 Happiest States In The US. Thus, despite unfavorable taxes and higher day to day expenses, Utah manages to draw a significant number of relocatees each year. According to U-Haul Holding Company (NYSE: UHAL)’s latest report on its top growth states, Utah was ranked as the No. 13th growth state in 2023.
Delaying Retirement
One of the most common ways to deal with high taxation in Utah is by delaying retirement. Although potential retirees are eligible for social security at the age of 62, the full retirement age for many, depending on the year they were born, varies between 66 and 67 years. Furthermore, according to Madison Trust, the average retirement age in Utah is 65 years, indicating that a significant portion of the population expects to retire at an age that is the cultural norm. This is also the age at which retirees can start claiming Medicare, since private insurance can be expensive.
Although retiring after the age of 62 is a choice, it’s slowly starting to evolve into a necessity. Delaying retirement benefits enables retirees to collect a higher monthly income once they retire. Recently, BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) Chairman and Chief Executive, Larry Fink, advocated for the idea of increasing retirement age even further. In the Annual Chairman’s Letter to investors of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), he called for an organized effort to rethink the retirement system given the increasing life expectancy in the country.
“No one should have to work longer than they want to… But I do think it’s a bit crazy that our anchor idea for the right retirement age – 65 years old – originates from the time of the Ottoman Empire.”
- Larry Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive, BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK)
Since individuals are likely to live to a greater age than the preceding generations, the average number of years a retiree draws retirement benefits will also increase, further increasing the strain of Social Security funds. According to Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), the average retirement in 1970 lasted between 12 and 16 years. Now it’s common for retirements to span 20 years or more and that number may continue to increase.
Healthcare in Utah
Although many retirees put more weight into retirement benefits when considering their retirement destination, healthcare is an important aspect of post-retirement life, and according to Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), demand for top-quality healthcare is expected to rise. America’s senior citizens currently comprise 18% of its population, however, by 2060, Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) predicts that this will rise to 23%.
An aging population necessitates the demand for improved healthcare services. In terms of healthcare, Utah is one of the best states to retire in. It is home to many top hospitals which have adequate arrangements for senior care. According to a study in 2023, Utah was ranked as the number 5 state with the best healthcare in the country. Moreover, with an average retirement age of 65, most citizens in Utah can qualify for Medicare by the time they retire.
Thus, while Utah may not be the most affordable state for retirement, its healthcare system and ability to support seniors looking to extend their careers help make it an appealing retirement destination. Join us as we look at the best places to retire in Utah.
To develop our list of best places to retire in Utah, we initially picked out the most recommended places to retire in Utah on the internet. We used 10+ sources including our own lists, as well as external sources such as Retirable, The Travel, and Movoto to develop a shortlist. Further research was narrowed down to these places only. Among these best places to retire in Utah, we developed a scorecard using metrics such as livability scores, cost of living, and median home prices. Livability scores were sourced from Area Vibes while Median home prices were obtained from Best Places. By standardizing these metrics on a linear scale, each place was scored, based on which we sorted our list in a descending order. The top 15 places were chosen as the best places to retire in Utah.
By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.
Here are 15 Best Places to Retire in Utah:
15. Kanab
Insider Monkey Score: 10.64
Livability Score: 69
IM Cost of Living Index: 91.2
Median Home Price: $363,500
Located in the grand circle, the town of Kanab is considered a gateway to The Wave, a popular red rock formation, and several national parks. Kanab has often been described as Little Hollywood since a number of classic western films such as the Lone Ranger and Billy the Kid have been shot in the outskirts of the town. In comparison to the rest of Utah, Kanab has a lower cost of living with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing.
14. Price
Insider Monkey Score: 10.98
Livability Score: 66
IM Cost of Living Index: 84.6
Median Home Price: $251,900
If you’re interested in a post-retirement life infused with affordable adventure, Price is one of the best places to retire in Utah. The town is full of history and culture, which dates back to the 19th century when it became the heart of Utah’s coal industry. It is also in close proximity to many hiking trails and parks, whilst being one of the most affordable destinations in the state.
13. Providence
Insider Monkey Score: 11.01
Livability Score: 78
IM Cost of Living Index: 102.2
Median Home Price: $483,800
Providence offers a small-town suburban atmosphere to retirees looking to spend their golden years in a close-knit community. Its cost of living and home prices are below the state average, although higher than the national average. It is close to the city of Logan, which is where many of the town’s residents travel to for excursions.
12. Sunset
Insider Monkey Score: 11.07
Livability Score: 79
IM Cost of Living Index: 114.6
Median Home Price: $326,700
Sunset offers an ideal balance of suburban tranquility with access to big city amenities. It is in close proximity to the cities of Ogden and Salt Lake City, which helps make up for the town’s lack of activity. Sunset has very affordable housing in comparison to the other places in the state, while its cost of living is close to the state average.
11. St. George
Insider Monkey Score: 11.24
Livability Score: 79
IM Cost of Living: 101.0
Median Home Price: $485,000
St. George is the perfect destination for retirees who prefer sunshine and the buzz of living in a city. The city offers plenty of excursions with access to the Zion National Park and the Snow Canyon State Park. Apart from activities and excursions, it is home to the St. George Regional Hospital, providing residents access to immediate healthcare.
10. Bountiful
Insider Monkey Score: 11.38
Livability Score: 82
IM Cost of Living Index: 105.3
Median Home Price: $510,800
Bountiful is a mountain city located in the north of Salt Lake City. It boasts a solid livability score of 82 and the mountainside is great for retirees looking to experience the best of all four seasons. The residents of Bountiful have the luxury of spoiling themselves with activities such as boating, hiking, and skiing, depending on the time of the year.
9. Richfield
Insider Monkey Score: 11.38
Livability Score: 71
IM Cost of Living: 89.0
Median Home Price: $294,600
Richfield is one of the best places to retire in Utah on a budget. Its cost of living and home prices are both below the national average. It is perfect for retirees looking to get away from the congestion of an urban city, and its parks add to the charm of living in a small-town community.
8. Bluff
Insider Monkey Score: 11.57
Livability Score: 69
IM Cost of Living: 86.2
Median Home Price: $205,500
Located near the San Juan River, Bluff is one of the best places to retire in Utah if you’re financially strapped. Although its livability score isn’t as high as most of the other places in the list, you’ll be able to find plenty of cheap accommodation in this town. Bluff has a rich historical identity, and the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway continues to draw interest from visitors throughout the region.
7. Nephi
Insider Monkey Score: 11.61
Livability Score: 77
IM Cost of Living: 94.6
Median Home Price: $404,600
Nestled among stunning mountains, Nephi is one of the best places to retire in Utah. It performs strongly on all three metrics in our rankings, and there is plenty of scenery to take in as you spend your golden years in this town. Nephi is the site for the Ute Stampede Rodeo, which is one of the most famous rodeos in Utah.
6. Farmington
Insider Monkey Score: 11.86
Livability Score: 88
IM Cost of Living: 106.3
Median Home Price: $627,200
Farmington has the highest home prices out of any place in our list, however, it also boasts one of the best livability scores, making it one of the best places to retire in Utah. The town attracts visitors from all over the state who come to visit the Lagoon Amusement Park, one of Utah’s largest theme parks.
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Disclosure: none. 15 Best Places to Retire in Utah is originally published on Insider Monkey.