16 Pros and Cons of Living in Ogden, UT

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Are you contemplating the idea of relocating to Ogden, Utah?

Situated in Weber County and located 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, Ogden boasts a population of approximately 87,231 residents.

This town is renowned for its deep-rooted historical significance as well as its robust commercial and manufacturing sectors.

For those who find themselves indecisive, this comprehensive guide aims to help in determining whether Ogden would serve as an ideal living destination.

This guide lists several advantages and disadvantages of living in Ogden.

Read on to find out what they are!

Pros of Living in Ogden, UT

Let’s first begin with a list of the pros of living in Ogden.

1. Plentiful Outdoor Activities

For outdoor enthusiasts, Ogden offers a great place to live.

There are a plethora of activities to enjoy, such as fishing, hiking, and camping.

Due to the location of Ogden, you’ll find many mountains and forests to enhance your outdoor experience.

If you want to have a picnic or have children, you’ll find several parks and recreational areas for enjoyment.

If you have a love for winter sports, Snow Basin is located in town and is perfect for snowboarding, skiing, and cross-country skiing.

2. Great for Foodies

Are you someone who considers yourself a true foodie?

If that’s the case, Downtown Ogden has an abundance of dining options awaiting your exploration.

The restaurants in this area are the perfect blend of unique flavors and styles, each presenting its distinctive character.

Regardless of whether you’re seeking a leisurely evening meal or a quick snack, Ogden provides an array of establishments to satisfy your cravings.

For those looking for more of a laid-back atmosphere, there are plenty of pizzerias and burger joints in Ogden.

3. Excellent for Jobs

The economy in Ogden is considered “strong.”

The city is well-known for having many business industries within the education, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors.

Ogden has recently become a great moving location for younger individuals and families.

Whether you’ve just graduated from college or looking to transition into a new career, Ogden may be a great option.

4. Affordable to Live

The affordability of living in Ogden is widely known among both young and older individuals.

Ogden’s cost of living falls significantly below the national average, making it a sought-after destination for those seeking to change their residence.

Overall, the costs of transportation, groceries, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses are much lower in Ogden.

Ogden has a cost of living index score of 99.5.

5. Stunning Views

If you find yourself captivated by stunning views, Ogden is sure to leave you in awe.

Situated eastwards of the city lies the magnificent Wasatch mountain range, offering a mesmerizing backdrop.

And just to the west, you’ll find Great Salt Lake, adding to its allure.

And we can’t forget to mention that amidst these two remarkable sites lie an abundance of nature reserves and parks, providing ample opportunities for exploration and much more.

If you want to kick it up a notch, there are several ski resorts located within the city, which provide more amazing views of the town.

6. Rich History

Another advantage of moving to Ogden, UT is that it has a rich history, dating back to the mid-1800s.

During this time, Ogden played a major role in trading for Native American tribes and fur trappers.

As a result, Ogden ended up becoming a major stop on the Transcontinental Railroad.

With that being said, there are still traces of Ogden’s history embedded within the city today.

You can find this by checking out various landmarks and historic architecture nearby.

Whether you’re a tourist or living here, you can check out exhibits displaying vintage art galleries, trains, and much more at various museums located at Union Station.

7. Lively Arts & Culture Scene

Another interesting fact and reason to consider moving to Ogden is that it offers a vibrant arts and culture scene.

The options are endless when it comes to music venues, art galleries, and theaters within the city.

If you’re an avid art lover, you’ll be able to check out many diverse art galleries.

Local artists can showcase their work at the Eccles Community Art Center.

Another cultural landmark worth mentioning is Peery’s Egyptian Theater, which hosts live performances and showcases unique Egyptian architecture.

8. Favorable State & Local Taxes

Residents can take advantage of the state and local taxes in Ogden.

Overall, the rates here are considerably reasonable.

The state income tax in Utah is 4.95%.

When you compare this to the national average and other states, it is fairly low.

The sales tax rate in Utah is 6.1%. Ogden’s property tax rate is 0.621%.

This means that if you plan on buying a home here, you will benefit from low property taxes.

Cons of Living in Ogden, UT

1. Awful Traffic

Moving to Ogden, means you have to face its awful traffic from time to time.

Ogden’s population has swiftly increased in the last 20 years.

The population here has practically doubled.

Because of this rapid growth within the city, traffic has been at an all-time high.

Rush hour appears to be the most congested.

Perhaps you can depend on public transportation, but unfortunately, this isn’t always reliable.

2. Shortfall of Amenities

Ogden continues to grow in population, yet it still lacks most of the amenities that can be found in larger cities.

Ogden does offer very few department stores, but there aren’t any large shopping malls nearby.

In addition, Ogden only offers its residents very few restaurants and popular fast-food chains.

Don’t expect to find any live entertainment venues in Ogden.

This may or may not be a huge downside for residents who must drive to local cities for entertainment.

3. Significantly High Crime Rate

Generally speaking, Ogden is relatively safe to live in, except for a few areas.

Crime is nearly present no matter where you go.

The west side of Ogden, for example, has a much higher violent crime rate in comparison to the remainder of the city.

Moreover, Ogden has several other areas with high property crime rates.

The best way to avoid crime living in Ogden is by avoiding the bad areas.

4. Snow

Do you love snow?

This may be considered a pro for you.

But for those who can do without the snow, this can be seen as a major drawback.

Ogden receives more than 60 inches of snow each year.

Not to mention, it’s typical to see several feet of snow on the ground by the time winter is over.

With a lot of snow comes major challenges.

The good news is that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and participate in outdoor recreation activities.

5. Below Par Schools

For many years, Ogden has persistently ranked below par for education, especially when you compare it to the rest of the country.

The lack of funding is mainly to blame for the reputation of schools here in Ogden.

Another contributing factor is the high ratio of students to teachers.

Ogden has the potential to enhance their school system by increasing funding and reducing the student-to-teacher ratios.

With that, students will be provided a better education.

6. Public Transportation Is Limited

Are you contemplating relying on public transit?

Well, you may want to reconsider.

Ogden’s public transit system is nothing but limited.

What Ogden does have is a light rail, commuter rail, and bus service.

When you compare it to larger cities, it lacks reliability.

There just aren’t enough buses and trains to serve the entire community, allowing residents to fully depend on them for work or other purposes.

7. Air Quality Concerns

For many residents living in Ogden, poor air quality has remained the topic of conversation for many years.

At times, pollution levels in the area have been known to surpass the national levels.

Health issues are often the result of consistently poor air quality.

Poor air quality can also negatively affect those who participate in outdoor recreational activities.

8. Streets Are Difficult to Navigate

Ogden is infamous for having hard-to-navigate streets.

When compared to the rest of the U.S., they truly aren’t as bad.

Yet when compared to the rest of Utah, they are horrid.

If you happen to make a wrong turn anywhere else in Utah, it generally isn’t that big of a deal.

You can simply go around the block.

Ogden is the total opposite.

One wrong turn will lead you on an adventure.

If you ever find yourself in this predicament, the best solution would be to pull into a parking lot and proceed from there.

Pros and Cons of Living in Ogden, UT – Summary Table

Ogden Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Ogden Safety Review

Safety Index:

72

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM