6 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Utah

Although one of the most expensive places in America to purchase residential real estate, Utah does have a few communities that are considered wallet-friendly when it comes to housing. In fact, despite the average Utah home costing $530,000 (there’s been a shortage of homes for sale since COVID), it can still be a less-expensive option than places like California.

Whether you’re downsizing from a high-value home in the West or wanting warmer winters than those on the East Coast, cast a wide net and you’ll find that there are, however, some communities in Utah where you’ll enjoy that unique Beehive State lifestyle without depleting your nest egg.

Price

When it comes time to crunch the numbers, the small town of Price (population 8,200) looks like a safe bet for a wallet-friendly Utah retirement. With an average home costing around $300,000 according to Zillow, this former coal-mining town has managed to reinvent itself thanks to the presence of Utah State University Eastern, a major contributor to the local economy.

The college has also been good for the town’s cultural scene, with major attractions like the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum in downtown Price offering lectures and discounted admission to seniors. Enjoy the outdoors? Then you’ll find the rugged scenery of the San Rafael Swell a plus for its many hiking trails through those scenic slot canyons.

Healthcare is another plus in Price's favor. Castleview Hospital provides services, such as cardiac care, orthopedics, and a wellness program, and it partners with larger regional facilities when more specialized care is needed. The presence of the Carbon County Senior Center is another plus, as it provides regular exercise classes, art workshops, lunch programs, as well as daytrips and transportation for those without wheels of their own.

Cedar City

The largest community on this list of retiree-friendly Utah communities (its population is approaching 40,000), Cedar City homes do cost more than places like Price, but at $348,000 they’re still well below the state average. If you’re a fan of Mother Nature, this higher home cost is worth it given the town's proximity to several national parks. These include the nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument with its stunning red rock formations, as well as Zion and Bryce Canyon, two excellent national parks just over an hour’s drive away.

Cedar City has also been dubbed as Utah’s “Festival City” for its lively cultural scene. The Utah Shakespeare Festival at Southern Utah University (SUU) is the main event, with seniors benefitting from discounted tickets and volunteer opportunities. And for sports enthusiasts, the Huntsman World Senior Games in nearby St. George is the chance to compete with your peers in everything from athletics to basketball and even pickleball

Vernal

Vernal’s 10,200 residents have much to like about their community. Not only can decent homes be purchased here for around $234,000 (under half the state average), but this northeastern Utah town boasts a surprising array of senior-friendly things to do. Nearby natural attractions include the Dinosaur National Monument, a remarkable site that’s home to the stupendous Quarry Exhibit Hall with its impressive collection of exposed dinosaur fossils (discounted senior passes are available).

Proximity to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is another plus. Boasting 350 miles of stunning shoreline, it’s a perfect spot for fishing and holds state records for lake trout and kokanee salmon. Vernal also serves as a basecamp for explorations of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Utah's highest mountain range, with Mirror Lake Highway (Utah 150) providing drive-up access to spectacular alpine scenery.

Richfield

As residents of Central Utah’s most important commercial hub, Richfield's 8,100 folks have much to be happy about. Topping the list of bragging rights is its proximity to Fishlake National Forest, a whopping 1.5 million acres of natural splendor that provides year-round recreation opportunities. Here you’ll find the Pando Tree, one of Earth's oldest and largest organisms covering over 100 acres and estimated to be as old as 80,000 years. Fish Lake itself offers trophy-sized trout fishing, with Fish Lake Lodge operating boat rentals and guides.

If you do plunk down the average (according to Zillow) $320,000 asking price for a home, you’ll also find yourself close to Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, with its unique rock art and walking trails. The town also has seniors covered when it comes to healthcare, with the growing Sevier Valley Hospital providing specialized cardiac and orthopedic services.

Delta

Despite being one of the smaller communities on this wallet-friendly list (its population is just 3,675), Delta has plenty to offer retirees looking for a new and affordable place to call home. In addition to its below-average home price of $255,000, the town's proximity to unique geological sites sets it apart. Topaz Mountain to the northwest is a must-visit. In addition to easily spotted topaz crystals, if you’re really lucky, you may also find some of North America's finest specimens of red beryl crystals.

The town’s connection to rare rocks and minerals doesn’t end there. As a resident of Delta, you’ll also have easy access to the U-Dig Fossils quarries near Antelope Springs. Here, for a fee, you and your grandkids can dig for 500-million-year-old trilobite fossils (tools provided). For an added spot of fun, take the youngsters to Great Basin National Park in neighboring Nevada for senior-discounted tours of the impressive Lehman Caves.

Nephi

Nephi's population of 6,700 souls continues growing as more and more boomers discover this pleasant Utah retirement haven. While homes are a little more expensive here than in other destinations on this wallet-friendly list (expect to pay around the average of $450,000 for a home, according to Zillow), Nephi definitely has plenty to offer in terms of lifestyle and fun. A big plus is its location along Interstate 15, meaning Salt Lake City is just an hour away.

It's also remarkably scenic. Mount Nebo, the highest peak in the Wasatch Range at 11,935 feet, dominates the eastern skyline and bursts into color each fall as the leaves change. You can see the best of this display by taking a drive along the Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway. If fishing’s your thing, be sure to also visit Yuba State Park. Just a short drive south of town, this large reservoir is known for its walleye and catfish, its unique warm springs keeping portions ice-free even in winter so you can catch your own supper year-round.

These six Utah towns certainly demonstrate that when it comes to retirement, seeking an affordable place to live doesn't mean you’ll have to sacrifice quality of life. In fact, the considerable savings on housing can help fund decades of comfortable living in your Golden Years. And when you think you’ll be surrounded by all that natural beauty that makes this region so extraordinary, a wallet-friendly retirement destination in Utah might be just what you’re looking for.