What it's like to live in West Valley City
West Valley City is a mid-size city in Utah with household incomes running above 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. West Valley City deals with home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, college degree attainment below the national average, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Short commutes
The not so good
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- Low college degree attainment
- High student-teacher ratio
- Cold winters
- Snowy winters — 52" per year
How West Valley City compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to West Valley City
Based on West Valley City's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,008
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $60,160 a year
- 48% of West Valley City renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$83,820
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $41,910
- Homes cost 4.5× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,504/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,504 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $419,100. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $419,100 · 48% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
3.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.9%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 16% above US
383 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 1662/100k · West Valley Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 13% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.6 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 90°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 26°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 55% below US
16% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a working-class city, and college degree rates reflect that. Trades, manufacturing, and service industries tend to dominate the local economy, which is a strength for some fields and a real constraint for others.
Schools
39 public schools inside the boundary
There are 39 public schools inside the boundary and 4 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 23:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Timpanogos Cave National Monument (23 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
West Valley City's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and air quality that falls short of national benchmarks. A year of median rent ($1,504/mo) equals 20% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near West Valley City
All Utah guides →Moving to Kearns metro township →
3 mi away · pop. 37,696
Rent $1,744/mo · Income $86,968
Compare with West Valley City →Moving to Taylorsville →
4 mi away · pop. 58,678
Rent $1,482/mo · Income $86,413
Compare with West Valley City →Moving to West Jordan →
6 mi away · pop. 116,692
Rent $1,757/mo · Income $108,153
Compare with West Valley City →Moving to South Salt Lake →
6 mi away · pop. 26,352
Rent $1,451/mo · Income $72,152
Compare with West Valley City →Not sure West Valley City is the one?
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