Salt Lake City moves up as one of America’s best cities, report

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Salt Lake City is on the rise as one of America’s best cities, according to a new report from Resonance.

The annual report listed Salt Lake City at No. 24 across the Top 100 cities in the nation, up one from where it ranked in 2023.

To find its rankings, Resonance – a global consulting agency for cities – analyzed cities with populations of more than 500,000. Every city was ranked based on 31 metrics across three key indicators: Livability, lovability, and prosperity.

Salt Lake City scored particularly high in its “livability” score with experts giving high marks for the city’s access to internet and biking infrastructure.

“Combining spectacular natural and built environments, Salt Lake City is no longer just a gateway to the great outdoors – it’s also a welcoming destination with Top 3 biking infrastructure, new museums, and local breweries, which, over the past three years have multiplied thanks to relaxed local potency limits.”

Resonance analysts said Salt Lake City’s transformation into a top U.S. city began with the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The global event helped the city “thaw” its reputation to become a lifestyle magnet of “quaint cafés and stylish restaurants.” The report indicates that Salt Lake’s investments of millions into development projects and beautification contributed to Utah securing an NHL team and raising its rank among America’s best cities.

Ogden also made an appearance on Resonance’s Top 100 rankings, ranking at No. 75. Resonance credited the city for its outdoorsy appeal and urban escapism.

Salt Lake City ranks among Tampa, Fla. (23) and St. Louis, Mo. (25). Neighboring metropolitan hub Denver ranked at No. 14 while Boise ranked at No. 45.

America’s Top 10 best cities, according to Resonance’s report, were:

1. New York, N.Y.
2. Chicago, Ill.
3. Los Angeles, Calif.
4. Miami, Fla.
5. Las Vegas, Nev.
6. San Francisco, Calif.
7. Boston, Mass.
8. Washington D.C.
9. Seattle, Wash.
10. Houston, Texas

A similar report by Resonance found London in the United Kingdom and Paris, France as the best cities in the world, followed by New York.