Utahns' perception of their quality of life has fallen to its lowest point in 15 years, according to a recent report issued by the nonpartisan research nonprofit, the Utah Foundation. The report, released last week, indicates that the state's quality of life index registered 63 out of 100, marking an "all-time low" since the survey began in 2011.
Shawn Teigen, president of the Utah Foundation, stated that the quality of life index was established 15 years ago to gauge when the state's livability might be going "a bit off track." Teigen noted in a prepared statement that Utah has observed "a decade of decline in our quality of life." He suggested that reversing this trend will require maintaining community support, improving Utahns' ability to afford their needs, and ensuring access to good jobs.
Nearly all factors influencing quality of life have declined in Utah since 2013, with only two exceptions, the report stated. The most significant contributors to this decline are housing unaffordability and the overall cost of living. Furthermore, opportunities for good jobs experienced a notable dip between 2022 and 2026. The report highlighted housing affordability, cost of living, and job opportunities among the poorest-performing factors in its recent findings, alongside traffic, public transit, and air and water quality. When asked what would most enhance their community's quality of life, Utahns frequently cited these issues and the need for better growth management.
Despite these concerns, surveyed Utahns reported higher satisfaction with other aspects of their communities, including religious activities, natural surroundings, and parks and recreation. Community support was also identified as the "most important factor in determining Utahns’ overall quality-of-life rating." However, the report noted that experiences vary, with actively religious individuals and higher earners (those with salaries of at least $79,000) reporting a higher quality of life compared to others.
In response to the state's housing affordability crisis, Utah Governor Spencer Cox and the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature have attempted to encourage developers to build more homes. However, progress toward home-building goals has been slow, and home prices remain elevated. Concurrently, state leaders have focused on economic development and maintaining a business-friendly environment by lowering income taxes for six consecutive years. These tax cuts have amounted to more than $1.5 billion over six years, with the majority benefiting the wealthiest earners.
Critics, including Democrats and advocates for public education and low-income Utahns, have argued that this tax revenue could be better utilized for schools and services for the state's most vulnerable residents.
The quality of life survey was conducted in collaboration with the Utah Chamber and the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. A post published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute on October 13 indicated that the long-term trend of declining quality of life "underscores the importance of continued action to preserve Utah’s strengths as the state grows." Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, emphasized that while Utah possesses considerable strengths, a high quality of life "should never be taken for granted." She stated that the state's ongoing success hinges on effectively addressing challenges such as housing affordability, cost of living, and economic opportunity, while also safeguarding valued community assets.
Spencer Eccles, chair of the Utah Rising Steering Committee, an initiative led by Utah business leaders with the Salt Lake Chamber, commented that states offering the best quality of life, beyond just jobs, will ultimately thrive, making livability a significant economic advantage for Utah. He noted that through Utah Rising, a business-led initiative focused on maintaining Utah's top economic performance, a goal has been set to protect and enhance livability for individuals, families, and communities statewide. Eccles added that this index serves as a tool to measure that progress and help Utah prosper.