Utah Senior Living

Senior living in Utah While the Beehive State may be known for its Mormon population, Utah actually has a high quality of living for everybody. In fact, a 2012 National Gallup Survey found that Utah is the overall best US state to live in. This mid-west state is still a mystery to many, however, its beautiful landscape and emerging economy is making Utah senior living a prime destination for anyone looking for retirement options.

Senior citizens make up just 9.2% of Utah’s population, as opposed to the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau’s national average of 13.3%. Although its senior population is below the national average currently, baby boomers are quickly coming into retirement age. This means that states like Utah will be more adding more options for those new retirees looking for retirement destinations. Senior living in Utah has never looked so good!

Utah Assisted Living Costs

Although prices can vary depending on location and care level, the average monthly cost for independent living in Utah is $2,143 with a minimum cost of $1,500 and a maximum cost of $3,047. *From the SeniorHomes.com 2012 Independent Living Cost Survey. (http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/independent-living-costs/)

Retirement in Utah

Utah senior living offers many retirement options, but it is perhaps best known for its outdoor sports communities. Utah is famous for its famous rock climbing areas and ski locations. And even if extreme sports is not your cup of tea, Utah’s landscape has some great hiking trails that are perfect for all fitness levels.

However, living in Utah’s most popular areas that offer these activities doesn’t come cheap. Utah is one of the more expensive states for retirees. According to Sperling’s Best Places, Utah’s cost of living is about 3.8% higher than the national average and the median home costs a little more than average, at $216,000.

The good news for seniors is that Utah has an extremely low unemployment rate, 7.6%, compared with the rest of the country. This is a good thing for seniors looking for a “retirement job” to bring in a little extra ski money each month. The bad news is that, according to Kiplinger.com, Utah is not considered a tax-friendly state.

Did you know that ...?

  • Utah is one of the minority of states that taxes Social Security benefits. *www.kiplinger.com
  • Utah provides a retirement-income tax credit that may help offset the tax on Social Security for certain income-eligible seniors.
  • Homeowners and renters 66 and older (and surviving spouses of any age) who earn $29,919 or less can get a “circuit breaker” tax credit that permits an abatement of property taxes up to $886.*www.kiplinger.com
  • Military retirees may be exempt from some taxes.

Best Utah Cities for Retirement

For those golfers out there, St George is probably the only place to retire. Known as Utah’s golf capital, St George is home to Ledges course, ranked by Golf Digest as one of the best new public golf courses in the nation.

Ogden is also a solid retirement option. Known for its skiing options because it sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah, Ogden offers a reasonable cost of living for seniors. Although considered quite the posh city, Ogden is actually one of the cheapest areas for seniors. According to Smart Money, the cost of living in Ogden is 11% below the national average and the median home price is $132,300.

Salt Lake City and Cedar City are also on the top retirement spots in Utah. Nicknamed the Festival City, Cedar City hosts a variety of yearly events like the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Neil Simon Festival, the Midsummer Renaissance Fair and even the Sheep & Livestock festival.

Health Care in Utah

There are 43 hospitals in Utah. LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City is nationally ranked as a high performing medical care center.

Quick Medical Guide for Utah:

Activities for Seniors in Utah

Seniors looking for an active lifestyle are drawn to Utah’s many ski resorts and hiking options. Zion National Park is one of the area's top tourist attractions and only a few hours from Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Park.

Recreational tourism is a big draw, and those who retire in Utah can enjoy these amenities year-round, including multiple national parks, forests, and monuments, as well as top ski resorts, Monument Valley, annual film festivals such as Sundance, and Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The annual competition, the Huntsman World Senior Games is also a major plus for any senior, especially anyone with a competitive drive. The annual athletic competition includes race-walking, bowling and mountain biking, and attracts more than 10,000 senior participants and spectators.

Local Weather

Anyone looking for senior living in Utah, probably isn’t looking for that famous sun and fun that states like Florida offer. But Utah offers a mild climate in the summer, where temperatures remain at a comfortable temperature. Summers aren’t too unbearably hot, but winter time will probably have you huddling near your fireplace. However, according to most Utahns, winter temperatures are cold, but the snow only seems to make this picturesque state more appealing to most of its residents. Check out current Utah temperatures!


Sharp Seniors has 19 Senior Living Facilities in Utah

  • 19 of them offer Senior Living
  • 13 of them offer Assisted Living
  • 7 of them offer Respite
  • 7 of them offer Alzheimer's Care
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Cities with Senior Living Centers in Utah

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