Recent Awards & Rankings

Salt Lake is making waves and getting recognition as a growing city with great business options, a top performing city, and economic leadership. 

Economic Excellence 

Top 3 Best-Performing Large Cities (2025): Salt Lake City ranked #3 among large U.S. metropolitan areas in the Milken Institute's 2025 Best-Performing Cities Index, which evaluates economic performance based on job growth, wage growth, and high-tech industry concentration.

#1 in Ease of Doing Business in North America: According to Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Economic Liberty, Salt Lake City achieved the highest score for ease of doing business among over 80 North American cities, reflecting favorable regulations and business-friendly policies.

Utah's Economic Leadership: The state of Utah, encompassing Salt Lake City, led the nation with a 4.5% real GDP growth in 2024, surpassing the national average of 2.8%. This growth underscores the region's robust economic environment.

Airport Accolades

#1 Airport in the U.S. and #8 Globally (2024): Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) was ranked the top airport in the United States and eighth worldwide by AirHelp, based on factors such as on-time performance, customer service, and amenities.

Top 10 Large U.S. Airports: USA Today's Readers' Choice Awards placed SLC at #6 among large U.S. airports, highlighting its modern facilities and dining options.

Record Passenger Traffic: In 2024, SLC served over 28.3 million passengers, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year and setting a new record for the airport.

Quality of Life & Innovation

#1 Best State: In its 2025 Best States rankings, U.S. News & World Report named Utah the top state in the nation for the third year in a row. The state excelled in fiscal stability (1st), economy (3rd), infrastructure (3rd), education (4th), and crime and corrections (7th), reflecting its strong economic growth, robust infrastructure, and high quality of life.

#1 City for Young Adults: MoneyGeek recognized Salt Lake City as the top city for young adults, citing factors like affordability, employment opportunities, and quality of life.

Family Travel Award Winner: Good Housekeeping awarded Salt Lake City for its all-season family-friendly attractions, emphasizing its suitability for travelers of all ages.

Fastest Internet Speeds: Salt Lake City was identified as having the fastest internet among U.S. metropolitan areas, enhancing its appeal for remote work and tech industries.