Utah’s Affordable Housing Supply Dwindling

Rents and home prices are skyrocketing, forcing many residents to make difficult decisions or move out of major cities.

1 minute read

March 13, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Salt Lake City skyline

Salt Lake City, Utah. | SeanPavonePhoto / Adobe Stock

Utah is the least affordable state for homebuyers after Hawaii and California, according to a new report from bestbrokers.com. As Brian Mullahy reports for KUTV, the stat is based on ‘price to income ratio,’ which reveals how many people in the state can afford homes based on their income. “Other states with the ‘worst price to income ratio,’ said bestbrokers.com, include Idaho (#4), followed by Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, and Rhode Island.”

Another KUTV article points out that many affordable housing units in Salt lake City are being lost to redevelopment. “In Salt Lake City, unless the city invests money into development, they can not legally require a developer to provide affordable apartments.”

Saturday, March 9, 2024 in KUTV

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

7 hours ago - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic