Is Kearns Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kearns

Kearns, Utah, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and accessibility to the amenities of the larger Salt Lake City metropolitan area. This community, named after former Utah U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns, has evolved from its historical roots as a World War II training base into a thriving residential area.

The city provides a diverse living experience, characterized by a variety of housing options and a community atmosphere. Its strategic location allows residents to enjoy a quieter lifestyle while remaining connected to urban opportunities. Kearns is also known for its role in the 2002 Winter Olympics, hosting the Utah Olympic Oval, a facility that continues to be a significant landmark and recreational hub.

Is it Safe to Live in Kearns?

Kearns presents a mixed safety profile, with crime rates that warrant consideration. While some reports indicate that overall crime rates are lower than the national average, other analyses suggest higher rates compared to the state and similar-sized communities. The chance of being a victim of crime in Kearns is approximately 1 in 47, based on recent data (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crime rates in Kearns are reported to be 26% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, property crime rates are a more significant concern, with a rate of 19 per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Residents generally perceive the southwest part of the city as the safest area, with crime rates varying by neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and NeighborhoodScout).

Crime Statistics Breakdown

The typical year sees a crime rate of 23.96 per 1,000 residents in Kearns (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This figure places Kearns in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 50% of U.S. cities, but less safe than the other 50% (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $367 annually, which is less than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

When examining crime by neighborhood, the southwest areas of Kearns experience the most incidents, with about 136 crimes annually. Conversely, the northwest part of the city has fewer incidents, with approximately 65 crimes each year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of violent crime can range from 1 in 266 in the northeast neighborhoods to 1 in 552 in the southwest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing and Cost of Living

The housing market in Kearns offers a range of options, with median home prices that are competitive within the broader Salt Lake metropolitan area. As of March 2026, the median listing price for homes in Kearns was $439,900 (as reported by Movoto). This figure is supported by other sources, with Zillow reporting a median sale price of $430,500 as of February 28, 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

Rental prices in Kearns also present a dynamic market. The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types was approximately $2,225 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent in Kearns are more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,299 (as reported by Zumper). The homeownership rate in Kearns is notably high, at 83.8% (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living Insights

The overall cost of living in Kearns is higher than both the national and state averages. Kearns’s cost of living index is 111, indicating it is 11% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing costs in Kearns are particularly elevated, being 28% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Despite these higher costs, the median household income in Kearns has seen growth. As of 2024, the median household income was $86,968 (as reported by Data USA). This income level is significantly higher than the national average, which can help offset the increased cost of living for residents.

Job Market and Economy

Kearns’s economy is supported by a variety of industries, with manufacturing, construction, and retail being prominent sectors. The city benefits from its proximity to a large labor force within the greater Salt Lake City area, providing businesses with access to a diverse talent pool. As of April 2026, the average salary in Kearns was approximately $41,202 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Employment in Kearns has shown growth, with a 2.76% increase in jobs from 2023 to 2024, reaching nearly 20,000 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common job sectors for residents include manufacturing, construction, and healthcare and social assistance (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the area include well-known companies such as Walmart, McDonald’s, and UPS (as reported by Indeed).

Employment and Unemployment

The employment rate in Kearns is currently around 93.91%, indicating a robust job market for its residents (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). This figure aligns with the broader unemployment rate in Utah, which was 3.8% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). The unemployment rate in Kearns itself is reported at 4.90% (as reported by Data Commons).

The most common occupations for Kearns residents include office and administrative support, production, and construction and extraction roles (as reported by Data USA). Many residents also commute to Salt Lake City for work, taking advantage of the broader economic opportunities available just a short distance away.

Climate and Environment

Kearns experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. The hot season typically runs from June to September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 80°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 91°F and lows of 66°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

Winters in Kearns are cold and can be snowy, lasting from November to February. The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures around 23°F and highs of 36°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The area experiences a humid continental climate, with significant seasonal temperature variations (as reported by Wikipedia).

Weather Patterns

The average annual rainfall in Kearns is about 17 inches (as reported by Livability.com), with May typically being the wettest month, receiving around 1.6 inches of rain (as reported by Weather Spark). Snowfall is more common in the winter months, with an average annual snowfall of 55 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The chance of a wet day, defined as receiving at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, is higher from September to June, with April having the most wet days (as reported by Weather Spark).

Overall, the climate offers four distinct seasons, providing a varied environment throughout the year. Summers are generally dry and clear, while winters are cold and partly cloudy with a good amount of snow. The temperature typically ranges from 22°F to 92°F annually, rarely dropping below 10°F or exceeding 99°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Schools

Kearns is part of the Granite School District, which serves a significant number of students across the area. The district includes multiple elementary, middle, and high schools catering to the educational needs of Kearns residents. Kearns High School, for example, serves grades 9-12 and has a student-teacher ratio of 26 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

School performance in Kearns can vary. Kearns High School has received an overall Niche grade of C, with specific rankings in areas such as diversity and athletics (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 9% of students are proficient in math and 24% in reading at Kearns High School (as reported by Niche).

School District Performance

The elementary schools in Kearns, all part of the Granite School District, generally perform below state averages on standardized tests. Some schools, like David Gourley School, rank higher within the state among Kearns elementary schools, while others, such as Thomas W. Bacchus School, show lower performance (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Many students in Kearns schools face economic disadvantages, with a high percentage receiving free or reduced-price lunch (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

The district faces challenges, including a high chronic absenteeism rate of 23.8%, which is above the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Efforts are ongoing to support academic outcomes and provide necessary resources for students within the Kearns school system.

Demographics and Diversity

Kearns is a diverse community with a population that reflects a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. As of 2020, the population was 36,723, with a significant Hispanic or Latino population comprising 42.3% of residents (as reported by Census Dots). The racial makeup also includes White residents at 47.2%, with smaller percentages of Asian, Native American/Other, and Multiracial populations (as reported by Census Dots).

The community is characterized by its relatively young population, with a median age of 32.2 years (as reported by Data USA). This youthful demographic contributes to a dynamic community atmosphere. The foreign-born population in Kearns is notable, with 18.4% of residents born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).

Population Characteristics

In terms of citizenship, 88.1% of Kearns residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The community is more diverse than many other areas in Utah, with a higher percentage of Hispanic residents compared to the state average (as reported by Census Dots). White non-Hispanic residents constitute the largest single ethnic group, making up 17.1k people (as reported by Data USA).

The population has seen steady growth over the years. From 2023 to 2024, the population grew at a rate of 1.66% annually, reaching an estimated 40,728 in 2026 (as reported by Census Dots). This growth indicates a continuing appeal for Kearns as a place to live within the Salt Lake County region.