Is Holladay Safe, Pros and cons of living in Holladay

Holladay, Utah, offers a suburban lifestyle with proximity to the amenities of Salt Lake City. Nestled against the Wasatch National Forest, it provides residents with access to natural beauty and outdoor recreation. The city has experienced growth through annexations, shaping its residential landscape over the years.

The community is known for its tree-lined streets and a focus on preserving open space, making it an attractive place for families and those seeking a quieter pace of life. Its political landscape has often centered on managing commercial development and maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

Is it Safe to Live in Holladay?

Holladay presents a generally safe environment for its residents, with a crime rate that is considerably lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is reported to be 67% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 72% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents often consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest area, experiencing the fewest crimes annually.

While the city’s overall crime rate is low, it’s important to note that crime can vary by neighborhood. Your chance of being a victim of crime ranges from 1 in 24 in the northwest neighborhoods to 1 in 45 in the southeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is also lower than both the national and state averages, indicating a relatively secure living environment (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

Home Prices

The housing market in Holladay is characterized by high home values, with prices significantly above the national average. The median home value in Holladay was $763,400 in 2024, which is 2.29 times larger than the national average (as reported by Data USA). In March 2026, the median listing home price was $820,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Over the last ten years, Holladay has seen substantial home appreciation rates, averaging 8.32% annually, placing it in the top 20% nationally for real estate appreciation (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Holladay is a city known for its large, single-family homes, with a higher proportion of four, five, or more bedroom homes than most communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The median sale price of a home in Holladay was $948,000 in March 2026, an increase of 28.0% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). This indicates a robust and appreciating housing market.

Rental Costs

Rental prices in Holladay are also on the higher side, reflecting the overall cost of living in the area. As of April 2026, the average rent in Holladay, UT is $1,891 per month, which is 15% higher than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent can be around $1,891 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment averages approximately $1,696 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). More recent data from April 2026 indicates an average rent of $1,895, with a range for apartments between $1,195 and $1,759 (as reported by Zillow and Rent.).

For renters, the median gross rent is approximately $1,704 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). To live comfortably in Holladay, a family of four might need an estimated salary of $158,306 per year to cover rent and typical non-housing expenses (as reported by City Affordability). This required income is above the local median household income.

Cost of Living

Overall, Holladay’s cost of living is higher than the national average. The city’s cost of living is 14% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses are notably higher, being 53% above the national average (as reported by Payscale). However, utility prices are 15% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale), and grocery prices are 2% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Transportation expenses, such as bus fares and gas prices, are 6% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs are 7% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Despite the higher overall costs, the median household income in Holladay was $117,043 in 2024, which is significantly above the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Demographics and Lifestyle

Population and Age

Holladay is home to a population of approximately 31,099 residents, as of the latest Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Holladay is 41 years old (as reported by Livability.com), with the population distributed across various age groups. Approximately 18.9% of residents are under 15, 12.4% are between 15 and 24, 24.9% are between 25 and 44, 25% are between 45 and 64, and 18.9% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in 2024 was 40.6 years (as reported by Data USA).

The gender balance is nearly even, with 50.2% of residents being male and 49.8% being female (as reported by Point2Homes). The city’s population has seen some fluctuations, with a slight decrease of -0.4% compared to the previous year according to some estimates (as reported by Point2Homes), while other data suggests a population of 29,949 in 2026, declining at a rate of -1.05% annually (as reported by Utah Population). The city was incorporated in 1999 and has grown due to annexations (as reported by Wikipedia).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Holladay is predominantly White, with approximately 86.2% of locals identifying as Caucasian (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups include Asian (3.2%), African American (0.9%), Indigenous American (0.4%), and Pacific Islanders (0.2%), with 7.5% identifying with two or more races (as reported by Point2Homes). White (Non-Hispanic) residents make up a significant majority, with 26.2k people (as reported by Data USA).

The Hispanic population constitutes about 7.95% of the residents (as reported by Data USA). The foreign-born population in Holladay is around 6.58%, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). The majority of residents are U.S.-born citizens, accounting for 92.4% of the population, with an additional 5.4% being naturalized citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Household and Family Structure

Holladay is characterized by a significant number of households, with an average of 3 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 66% of these households are families, while the remaining 34% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes). The homeownership rate in Holladay is high, at 78.7%, which is considerably higher than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA).

In terms of family structure, 55.9% of households are married-couple households, with 14.7% having a male householder and no spouse present, and 24.8% having a female householder and no spouse present (as reported by Wikipedia). A notable portion of households, 12.6%, consist of individuals aged 65 or older living alone (as reported by Wikipedia).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers and Industries

The economy of Holladay is supported by a diverse range of industries, with Health Care & Social Assistance employing the largest number of residents, followed by Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). Other significant sectors include Management Occupations, Business & Financial Operations, and Sales & Related Occupations (as reported by Data USA).

While specific major employers are not extensively detailed, notable companies in the broader Holladay area include Target, Starbucks, and Walgreens, among others (as reported by Indeed.com). Real estate firms and local banks are also mentioned as key contributors to the local economy (as reported by ReadySetHire). Utah Transit Authority and Wasatch Cares are also identified as employers in the area (as reported by ReadySetHire).

Employment and Salaries

Holladay’s job market is powered by its working residents, with a significant portion employed in professional or administrative positions (as reported by Point2Homes). The unemployment rate in Holladay was 2.7% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is lower than the national average. As of February 2026, the unemployment rate in Utah was 3.8% (as reported by USAFacts).

The average annual salary in Holladay is approximately $45,324, which equates to about $21.79 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries typically range between $32,297 and $55,344 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Holladay was $117,043 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), which is considerably higher than the national average.

Climate and Weather

Temperatures and Seasons

Holladay experiences a climate with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 22°F to 92°F and are rarely below 10°F or above 98°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 91°F and lows of 65°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The cold season lasts from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 46°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 23°F and highs of 36°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Temperature variations between day and night are moderate in the summer and fairly limited in the winter.

Precipitation and Snowfall

The annual precipitation in Holladay averages around 22 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with April typically receiving the most rain and July receiving the least. The wettest season generally runs from September to June, with a greater than 18% chance of a wet day (as reported by Weather Spark).

Holladay receives an average annual snowfall of 80 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The snowy period typically spans seven months, from October to April, with December usually seeing the most snowfall. There is no snowfall for five months, from May to September (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

School District and Ratings

Holladay, UT is part of the Salt Lake County R-1 School District (as reported by Movoto). This district includes elementary and middle schools, though specific high school designations within Holladay itself are not detailed in the provided data. Information on specific school ratings is not readily available in the search results, but the district serves the community’s educational needs.

While detailed school ratings are not provided, the general educational attainment in Holladay is high. A significant portion of the population, 52%, holds a college degree, and 97% have a high school diploma (as reported by Holladay Journal). This suggests a strong emphasis on education within the community.