Utahns' rating of quality of life falls to record low as housing costs bite
A statewide index found housing affordability rated lowest of 20 factors, and confidence in good-job opportunities slipped.
Based on reporting by University of Utah (@theU). Read the original story →
Continuing story: Utah's housing crunch
Utah's Community Quality of Life Index fell to 63.2 out of 100 in 2026, its lowest reading since tracking began in 2011, according to results released by the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and reported on @theU. The index is run by the Utah Foundation with the Gardner Institute and the Utah Chamber. [1]
Housing affordability ranked last among the 20 factors measured, at 2.1 out of 5, and living costs ranked next to last at 2.7. The release said 91% of Utah renters were priced out of a median-priced home at the start of 2026, up from 59% in 2015. The score for good-job opportunities dropped from 3.5 in 2022 to 3.1, the only statistically significant change and about half of the overall decline. [1]
Residents gave their highest marks to religious activities and groups, natural surroundings and parks and recreation. Asked what would most improve their communities, 47% cited housing and growth and 38% cited transportation and infrastructure. [1]
"Utah is amazing, but we've seen a decade of decline in our quality of life," said Utah Foundation President Shawn Teigen. The index peaked at 72.7 in 2013. [1]
Sources
This story was written by AI from the report by University of Utah (@theU), which has the full story. How we write stories.