The Ultimate Guide to Affordable Student Living in Salt Lake City's College Neighborhoods

Salt Lake City is a great city that blends big-city access with small-city comfort. Up near the University of Utah, mornings start with views of the foothills and a quick TRAX ride to class. Down in Sugar House, the sidewalks stay busy with shops, parks, and cafés filled with students finishing up projects or meeting friends. Downtown and Central City bring their own mix of energy, history, and convenience. No matter where you study, there’s a neighborhood that makes campus life a little easier.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Salt Lake City

This guide highlights the parts of Salt Lake that consistently work well for students, staff, and faculty at the University of Utah, Westminster University, Ensign College, and Salt Lake Community College’s South City Campus.

The goal here is simple: help you find the neighborhood that fits. When you land in the right part of the city, errands take less time, your commute feels manageable, and you start to feel settled faster. Salt Lake has plenty of great apartments; this guide will help you find the part of town that actually feels like yours.

University of Utah

The University of Utah overlooks the city and the Wasatch Mountains. It’s one of the most scenic campuses in the state and one of the busiest, with students from every part of Salt Lake City. Living nearby makes a difference. Morning traffic on Foothill can back up fast, and parking around campus fills early. The closer you live, the easier your day starts.

Below are four neighborhoods that consistently work well for University of Utah students. Each one offers something different, and all have apartments that balance location, comfort, and price.

Foothill / Sunnyside

Foothill and Sunnyside sit just south of campus, making them one of the most convenient areas for U of U students. Most apartments here are within a five- to ten-minute drive to class, and the Foothill Drive corridor has frequent bus routes, making getting around easy. The area feels safe, quiet, and a little tucked away, with grocery stores, cafés, and trailheads just minutes from home.

East Bench

The East Bench feels residential and established. It’s filled with quiet streets, mid-century homes, and older apartment buildings that tend to offer more space for the price. Students who live here usually drive or bike to campus, but they stay for the peace and the view.

The Avenues

The Avenues, which stretch north of campus, offer a completely different feel. Narrow, tree-lined streets and historic buildings give it character you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Students like the area for its charm and easy access to downtown. The hills make biking a workout, but the bus routes run often, and parking is manageable.

Westminster University

Westminster sits in the middle of Sugar House, one of Salt Lake City’s most walkable and popular neighborhoods. The campus is small, tucked between tree-lined streets and local favorites like Sugar House Coffee and Fairmont Park. For many students, living nearby means they can skip the commute entirely and spend more time actually enjoying the neighborhood.

Because first- and second-year students are required to live on campus, the surrounding area fills up fast with juniors, seniors, and grad students looking for nearby apartments. Living close to campus comes with higher rent, but it also means walkable restaurants, quick access to grocery stores, and easy bus or bike routes to the rest of the city.

Below are three neighborhoods that fit best for Westminster students and staff. Each one blends convenience, comfort, and a bit of the local character that makes Sugar House so distinct.

Sugar House

Sugar House is the heart of Westminster life. The area has everything you’d want within a few blocks—cafés, shops, gyms, and wide sidewalks that stay active well into the evening. Sugar House Park sits just a few minutes away and is one of the best green spaces in the city for walking, running, or relaxing between classes.

Central City

Just west of Sugar House, Central City offers more affordable rent and a quick ride to campus. The area has older buildings and smaller complexes, which often means better pricing for students. The 700 East and 1300 East bus lines run frequently, and you can bike to Westminster in about ten minutes.

East Central

East Central sits north of Sugar House and offers a nice middle ground between city life and calm residential streets. The neighborhood has a mix of older apartments and renovated buildings, along with excellent access to downtown and the University of Utah.

Ensign College

Ensign College sits right in the middle of downtown Salt Lake City. The area around campus is busy from morning to night, filled with restaurants, shops, and easy public transit access. TRAX lines, bus routes, and walkable streets make it one of the few places in Utah where you can comfortably live without a car.

Because Ensign doesn’t offer on-campus housing, most students rent nearby apartments. The options range from newer high-rises to classic brick buildings tucked into quieter corners of the city. Living close to campus means quick walks to class, short commutes to part-time jobs, and easy access to everything downtown has to offer.

Below are three neighborhoods that work best for Ensign students. Each one gives you a slightly different experience of downtown life, but all keep you close to campus and the essentials.

Downtown Salt Lake City

Living downtown puts you right at the center of the city. Ensign College is just a few blocks from City Creek Center, Temple Square, and dozens of cafés, restaurants, and grocery options. TRAX stations are within walking distance, and bike lanes make it easy to get around.

Capitol Hill

Just north of downtown, Capitol Hill offers a quieter, more historic feel. The area has tree-lined streets, restored buildings, and great views of the city below. Commutes are short, and the setting is calm compared to downtown’s pace.

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College sits just south of downtown on State Street, surrounded by a mix of residential neighborhoods, small businesses, and some of the most convenient transit options in the city. Many students commute, but more and more are choosing to live nearby for the flexibility and access it provides. With TRAX stations, bus routes, and bike lanes in every direction, getting to class doesn’t take much planning.

Apartments near the South City Campus range from older, affordable buildings to newer mid-rises and renovated complexes. The area has a practical feel and has everything you need close by. For students balancing school, work, and a budget, that combination can make a big difference.

Below are three neighborhoods that consistently work well for SLCC students. Each offers its own mix of affordability, convenience, and personality.

Liberty Wells

Liberty Wells sits directly north of the South City Campus, just across 1700 South. The neighborhoods are known for their older homes, shaded streets, and quick access to State Street’s bus routes. Rents here are typically lower than in other parts of Salt Lake, and many apartments include utilities, which helps with budgeting.

South Salt Lake

Just beyond the city line, South Salt Lake blends convenience with value. It’s a straightforward area with newer developments and strong public transit coverage. The drive or bus ride to the South City Campus usually takes under ten minutes, and grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers are close by.

Finding Your Fit in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City makes it easy to find a neighborhood that fits your routine. Each area has its own rhythm, but they all share the same advantage and proximity. You can live close to class, work, and recreation without giving up what matters most.

Before you start your search, think about what makes your week run smoothly. Maybe it’s a short commute, a nearby park, or a neighborhood café where you can study for a few hours.

Once you know that, you’ll have an easier time finding a place that feels right. Use the links throughout this guide to explore available apartments, compare prices, and set up tours.

Salt Lake’s neighborhoods are ready for you to explore. The right one will make your semester, your mornings, and your weekends a whole lot easier.