What it's like to live in Brigham City
Brigham City is a small city in Utah with rent below the national average, county unemployment below the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Brigham City deals with air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, larger class sizes than the national average, cold winters, and snowy winters.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Low unemployment in the county
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
The not so good
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
- Cold winters
- Snowy winters — 38" per year
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Brigham City compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Brigham City
Based on Brigham City's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,140
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $42,800 a year
- 41% of Brigham City renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$73,860
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $36,930
- Homes cost 5.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 24% below US
$1,070/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,070 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $369,300. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $369,300 · 41% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.4% county unemployment
Unemployment in Box Elder County is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Box Elder County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 63% below US
122 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 664/100k · Brigham City Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 22% below US
20 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 11% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 87°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 20°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 20% below US
29% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 29%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
7 public schools inside the boundary
There are 7 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Golden Spike National Historical Park (26 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Brigham City's strongest points are rent below the national average and county unemployment below the national average; the main tradeoffs are air quality that falls short of national benchmarks and cold winters. A year of median rent ($1,070/mo) equals 18% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, job seekers (county-wide unemployment is low), and anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Brigham City
All Utah guides →Moving to Pleasant View →
13 mi away · pop. 11,217
Rent $1,741/mo · Income $129,462
Compare with Brigham City →Moving to North Ogden →
14 mi away · pop. 21,947
Rent $1,638/mo · Income $113,722
Compare with Brigham City →Not sure Brigham City is the one?
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