West Valley City 77 Exceptional
West Valley City Livability #56 ranked city in Utah#3,085 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
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West Valley City, UT - Utah's Entertainment City

West Valley City, UT, known as 'Utah's Entertainment City,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Salt Lake County, West Valley City is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Salt Lake City (10 miles) and Sandy (12 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. West Valley City's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

West Valley City is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, the historic USANA Amphitheatre, and the scenic Valley Fair Mall. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful West Ridge Golf Course to the bustling Maverik Center, known for its sports and entertainment events. West Valley City's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the WestFest and the Cultural Celebration highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate West Valley City's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Utah State University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in West Valley City is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Hale Centre Theatre and the Utah Cultural Celebration Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in West Valley City provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

West Valley City’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) and Real Salt Lake (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in West Valley City include healthcare, education, and technology, with significant employers such as Intermountain Healthcare and Granite School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making it easy to navigate.

Pros and Cons of Living in West Valley City

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in West Valley City?

West Valley City, Utah is a mid-sized city with a population of 140,970 inhabitants. West Valley City has a population density of 3,975 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of West Valley City identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 32% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. West Valley City tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 30 is far below the national average.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in West Valley City, Utah could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in West Valley City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare West Valley City to Utah and the national average.

West Valley City has a livability score of 77 out of 100 and is ranked #55 in Utah and #2,851 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in West Valley City could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that West Valley City ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we know that West Valley City ranks very well for cost of living (B), employment (A-) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, West Valley City does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The West Valley City market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that West Valley City meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in West Valley City. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in West Valley City are simply unattainable. The median home price for West Valley City homes is $428,617, which is 8.4% higher than the Utah average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in West Valley City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 2.3% lower than the Utah average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Valley City

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      West Valley City transportation information

      Statistic West Valley City Utah National
      Average one way commute22min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.7%75.9%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.4%11.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.7%2.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%2.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The West Valley City, UT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.