With so many excellent locations in and around Salt Lake City, you might be having a tough time whittling down your perfect fit to build a custom home or buy a new home to remodel. That's exactly why we built this guide.
This 2026 guide explores the best places to live in the Salt Lake City area, including top suburbs like Draper, Holladay, and Sandy. Learn about family-friendly neighborhoods, safe and scenic areas, and custom home opportunities across Salt Lake County.
Here's a sneak peek at our list:
Draper
Cottonwood Heights
Holladay
Sandy
Midvale
Best Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for 2026
East Central
East Bench
Greater Avenues
Sugar House
Why Salt Lake City and Its Suburbs Stand Out in 2026
Best Places to Live Near Salt Lake City by Lifestyle
Located just 20 minutes south of downtown, Draper is one of the best suburbs near Salt Lake City for families, professionals, and luxury custom homebuyers alike.
Draper is consistently ranked among the best places to live in Salt Lake City for families, thanks to its excellent public and charter schools.
Neighborhoods like SunCrest, Corner Canyon, and Bellevue offer walkable streets, community parks, and highly rated school zones. If you're raising kids in Utah, Draper checks all the boxes for safety, education, and space to grow.
With easy access to Utah’s booming tech corridor, Draper appeals to professionals looking for short commutes and a high quality of life. It’s one of the top areas for job growth near Salt Lake City, making it a smart location for dual-income households and remote workers who still want proximity to major business centers.
Plus, it offers far more home options than the city center.
Draper is a prime location for custom homes or remodeling a new home near Salt Lake City. Many homes sit on larger lots with panoramic views of the Wasatch Range, perfect for designing indoor-outdoor living spaces, home gyms, or multi-generational layouts.
Nicknamed the “City Between the Canyons,” Cottonwood Heights is one of the best places to live in Salt Lake City for outdoor lovers and luxury homeowners alike.
This area is ideal for those seeking to build a custom home with a backdrop of stunning mountain views. Many properties feature spacious lots and proximity to world-class ski resorts.
If you're exploring luxury homes near Salt Lake City with the goal of remodeling your new home to meet your exact needs.
Located between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, the city offers quick access to hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding. Residents enjoy an outdoor lifestyle in the Salt Lake City suburbs without sacrificing city amenities. It’s a prime spot if you want the best of both worlds: natural beauty and a strong local community.
Even with its close ties to nature, Cottonwood Heights still provides a short commute to downtown Salt Lake City, the University of Utah, and major job centers. It’s a great fit for professionals, retirees, or families who want to be near it all without being in the middle of it.
Holladay is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Salt Lake County if you're looking for timeless charm, scenic views, and established communities.
It blends upscale living with a peaceful, small-town feel, making it a top choice for anyone building a luxury custom home near Salt Lake City.
Holladay is known for its mature trees and quiet streets, an ideal setting for building your custom home in Salt Lake County. Many homeowners choose Holladay to build custom homes that reflect a more traditional, estate-style aesthetic. It’s also home to several luxury neighborhoods where you’ll find large lots and historic character, great for building a custom home or buying an established home to update or create an addition for more living space.
This city offers a strong sense of community, excellent schools, and plenty of parks and walking trails. Families love Holladay for its top-rated schools, low crime rate, and proximity to outdoor recreation.
It’s a slower-paced, peaceful place to raise children while still being close to the action.
Living in Holladay, Utah, gives you a short drive to downtown Salt Lake City, nearby canyons, and cultural attractions like museums, galleries, and theaters. It's perfect for professionals or retirees who value accessibility and lifestyle without the busyness of a large city.
Sandy offers a blend of suburban comfort, outdoor access, and upscale amenities, making it one of the best suburbs near Salt Lake City.
This growing city appeals to families, professionals, and retirees thanks to its mix of new developments and established neighborhoods.
If you're looking to build a custom home near Salt Lake City, Sandy is one of the top spots to consider.
It features a wide range of custom-built homes, from mountain-view estates to contemporary properties near shopping and dining. The city’s well-zoned residential areas give new home builders the flexibility to create truly personalized spaces.
One of Sandy’s biggest draws is its proximity to outdoor activities.
You’re just minutes from hiking trails, biking paths, and the ski resorts of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Combine that with large parks, golf courses, and scenic views, and it’s easy to see why Sandy is so popular with those seeking an outdoor lifestyle in the Salt Lake City area.
Sandy is home to top-rated schools, making it one of the best neighborhoods for families in Utah. You’ll also find excellent healthcare, shopping districts, and public transit options, including easy access to TRAX light rail for commuting into Salt Lake City. It’s a well-rounded city with everything you need nearby.
Midvale is one of the most affordable and centrally located suburbs in Salt Lake County, making it a hidden gem for those seeking value and access to the best of the Wasatch Front. Midvale is a smart option for first-time buyers, growing families, and those considering homes without the luxury price tag.
Midvale consistently ranks as one of the more affordable places to live near Salt Lake City. Home prices tend to be lower than neighboring cities like Sandy or Holladay, but residents still enjoy great access to shopping, restaurants, and cultural amenities.
For homeowners planning to build, the lower cost of entry can free up more of the budget for customization and upgrades.
Midvale is well-connected via TRAX light rail and major highways, making it an attractive hub for commuters and professionals. It’s especially convenient for those working in Salt Lake City, West Valley, or the Silicon Slopes tech corridor.
This central location has helped Midvale grow quickly, with new neighborhoods and revitalized areas popping up throughout the city.
With rising interest in infill development and newer residential zones, Midvale is becoming a more attractive location for new home builders in Salt Lake County.
It offers a rare combination: space to build, walkable neighborhoods, and access to top employers.
Salt Lake City is the ultimate mix of urban energy, outdoor adventure, and historic charm. Seeking cultural vibrancy, walkability, or access to nature? These top neighborhoods in Salt Lake City offer something for every lifestyle.
If you’re drawn to Salt Lake City urban living and love character-rich architecture, East Central might be your perfect match.
The East Central neighborhood blends tree-lined streets, early 20th-century homes, and a strong community feel. It's one of the best places to live in Salt Lake City for buyers who want to be close to downtown while enjoying a quieter, more residential vibe.
The East Bench is known for its elevated location and panoramic mountain views, plus quick access to the University of Utah and top-rated public schools. This neighborhood is an ideal area for custom home construction in Salt Lake City.
And, with a growing number of luxury homes and modern builds, you'll have plenty of new homes to choose from, even if you'll need to create an addition or convert a basement.
Perched just above downtown, the Greater Avenues neighborhood offers a mix of historic homes and walkable streets.
It's one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for retirees and professionals who appreciate charm, culture, and convenience. Hiking and biking trails are just minutes away, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Sugar House is a long-time local favorite. Young professionals and families love the selection of great restaurants, shopping districts, and parks.
The real estate here is a mix of updated bungalows, townhomes, and new custom homes, making it a top pick for those seeking Salt Lake City real estate with lasting value.
In 2026, the Salt Lake City area continues to attract homebuyers, builders, and relocators for all the right reasons. With a steady economy, breathtaking natural beauty, diverse housing options, and available lots, it’s no surprise that so many people are exploring custom-built homes and new home communities near Salt Lake City.
After years of rapid growth, the real estate market in Salt Lake City is entering a more stable phase. Inventory is gradually increasing, which is giving homebuyers and custom home builders more options and time to make smart decisions.
While prices aren’t dropping dramatically, the breakneck acceleration of previous years has cooled, creating a more sustainable environment for long-term investment.
If you're building a home in 2026, this balance is welcome news. It’s a chance to invest in a property in one of the best places to live in Salt Lake City or its suburbs without facing intense bidding wars or short timelines.
Utah’s economy remains one of the strongest in the country, and Salt Lake City is at the heart of it all. With booming sectors like healthcare, tech, outdoor recreation, and finance, the region continues to draw new residents seeking both quality of life and career opportunities.
Areas like Draper and Midvale are especially appealing to professionals working in Silicon Slopes or commuting into the city.
This influx of talent keeps demand high and long-term value strong, making it a great time to explore custom homes if you’re planning to stay rooted well into the future.
If you're looking for a home with original architectural features, you're in luck. You may need to add space to live more comfortably or update it for aging-in-place.
Few cities blend outdoor adventure with everyday convenience like Salt Lake City. Locals enjoy immediate access to world-class ski resorts, hiking and biking trails, and stunning canyons all within minutes of their doorstep. Whether you’re moving to Cottonwood Heights for its mountain access or settling in Sandy for its family-friendly vibe, the outdoor lifestyle in Salt Lake City's suburbs is a major perk.
This lifestyle, paired with newer custom homes, is what attracts many families and retirees looking for peaceful neighborhoods that still feel connected.
From historic neighborhoods in Salt Lake City to quiet hillside lots in Holladay or luxury living in Draper, the area offers a wide variety of housing styles and community types. If you’re dreaming of walkable city streets with restaurants and shopping, spots like Sugar House or East Central deliver.
Prefer quiet mountain views and room to spread out? You’ll find that in the best Salt Lake City suburbs like Holladay or East Bench.
The flexibility of this region is exactly why so many homeowners are choosing to build instead of buy. With the help of a trusted custom home builder in Salt Lake City, you can design a home that works perfectly for how you live today and how you’ll live tomorrow.
Where are the best places to live based on your lifestyle? Here's a quick overview:
Sugar House: Vibrant nightlife, walkable streets, and a great mix of rentals and updated homes close to downtown.
East Central: Affordable city living with charm, plus quick access to public transportation and cultural attractions.
Midvale: A rising star with new developments and easy commutes to tech jobs and downtown.
Draper: Top-rated schools, larger homes, and access to nature trails and parks.
Sandy: Quiet streets, sports facilities, and proximity to family-friendly hiking and skiing.
Holladay: Spacious yards, a strong sense of community, and excellent schools in the area.
Greater Avenues: Historic charm, peaceful streets, and walkability to downtown Salt Lake City amenities.
Cottonwood Heights: Serene mountain views, low crime rates, and quick access to outdoor activities.
East Bench: Elevated living with peaceful neighborhoods, great health care access, and stunning natural scenery.
From luxury custom homes in Draper to mountain serenity in Cottonwood Heights, there’s a perfect neighborhood waiting for you. Each area offers something unique, making it easier to find your perfect fit.
Let’s talk about your ideal location and what your custom home could look like. At Marshall Homes, we're always available to help families, couples, and singles find their ideal spot to build or remodel.