Is Draper, Utah a Nice Place to Live?

Is Draper, Utah a Nice Place to Live?

Thinking of moving to Draper Utah? Here are some facts about Draper that may help you make your final decision.

Population: about 50,000 people. 

Draper lies in the south end of Salt Lake Valley, extending partly into Utah County; it’s considered part of the “Silicon Slopes” corridor (growing tech / professional economy). 

The area is suburban, family-oriented, with significant natural beauty: mountain views, open space, trails, etc. 

Cost of Living and Housing

Some people have asked if buying a home around $500,000 is feasible in Draper, Utah. The following can help answer that question.

Median household income in Draper is around $130,000–$135,000 annually. 

Median home value is roughly $700,000–$730,000 in many parts. 

Cost of living is higher than U.S. average by about 25%. Housing is the biggest contributor. 

So, to buy a home worth $500,000+ is quite feasible for many residents here — but it usually requires a solid income, especially when factoring in property taxes, mortgage, maintenance, etc.

Job Market & Incomes That Support a $500K+ Home

To comfortably afford a $500K–plus home in Draper (with a loan, down payment, etc.), you’d typically want a household income well above the median — likely somewhere in the $120,000–$200,000+ range depending on debt, interest rates, etc.

Here are types of jobs / industries in Draper or the surrounding area that generate incomes in that range, or have the potential to:

Tech / Professional / Scientific Services – these are among the larger sectors in Draper. Jobs in software engineering, technical management, systems architecture, etc., often pay very well. 

Healthcare – doctors, specialists, dentists, etc., tend to earn in high 6-figures. Even mid-level clinicians or those in leadership roles can sometimes approach what’s needed. 

Management / Executive roles – large companies in Draper include things like Pluralsight, DealerTrack, 1-800 Contacts, etc. Leadership roles there often pay well. 

Information / Manufacturing / Specialized Technical Roles – in many cases, these support incomes that support higher mortgages. From the census data, Information industry average wage in Draper is over $117,000 in that sector. 

So yes, there are enough promising options locally to generate sufficient income for buying a $500K home, provided you’re in one of the higher-paying fields, or possibly dual-income households.

Attractions, Amenities & Stores

What you can find in Draper?

Outdoor & nature: hiking trails, mountain access. Good for people who like outdoor recreation. 

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is in Draper. The aquarium has a shark tunnel, stingray touch pool, penguins, Asian animals and South American wildlife, outdoor playgrounds, a cafe, and more.

Parks, regular family-friendly recreation options (parks, playgrounds, etc.). Draper also has a splash pad at Smith Fields Splash Park and at Draper Splash pad.

Shopping / retail: Draper has many of the usual chain stores & grocery stores. Also “commercial districts” that are growing. Some examples are Draper Peaks Shopping Center which includes stores like T.J. Maxx and Kohl’s. Draper Crossing has a variety of stores and dining establishments.  

Some larger specialty or tech-oriented company presences (Pluralsight, etc.) which also bring in business services / supports. Draper is a significant part of the “Silicon Slopes” tech corridor and includes several specialty and tech-oriented companies, ranging from established enterprises to growing startups. Some companies include Pluralsight, HealthEquity, Canopy, Progressive Leasing and 1-800 Contacts.

Schools & Education

Draper is strong in terms of education, especially public:

Draper is served by several school districts (primarily Canyons District). 

Public schools perform above state average in reading and math. For example, Draper public schools: average math proficiency ~56% vs state ~40%; reading ~54% vs state ~43%. 

Some top schools: Corner Canyon High School is relatively new, large, well-equipped, often ranks among top traditional high schools in Utah. 

Charter schools are also present and many are well regarded. American Preparatory Academy campuses in Draper show up in high rankings. 

Private / religious schooling options (for instance, Skaggs Catholic Center with its elementary, middle, high school). 

So for families, especially those valuing education, Draper is considered a very good choice.

Crime & Safety

Here’s a look at how safe Draper is:

Draper’s violent crime rate is quite low compared to U.S. averages, and significantly below many areas in Utah. 

Property crimes are higher (thefts, burglaries, etc.) but still lower than or near the national averages; though in some metrics Draper is somewhat above average in risk for property crime compared to all U.S. communities. 

CrimeGrade rates Draper at the 19th percentile of safety, meaning it’s safer than 19% of U.S. cities, but less safe than 81% by some measures. However, that depends a lot on the neighborhood. 

Homesnacks data: overall crime rate ~1,751 per 100,000, which is ~25% below the national average. Violent crime is quite low (~96 per 100,000). 

So Draper is relatively safe, especially for violent crime. But property crime remains something to be aware of. It may be wise to invest in a home security system and create a neighborhood watch.

Pros & Cons

Here are some summarizing pros and things to watch out for:

Pros:

Strong schools, good public education options, including charter/private choices.

Nice balance of suburban calm with access to bigger city amenities (Salt Lake City) plus natural scenery.

Good for families; generally affluent and stable neighborhoods.

Growing job market, especially in tech / professional services, which helps support high home prices.

Clean, well-managed city government and planning. 

Cons / Considerations:

Housing is expensive; if $500K+ home is the baseline, affordability becomes tighter unless you have a solid income.

Cost of living is above average, especially housing, transportation.

Some variation in neighborhood safety / crime; some areas will be better than others.

Commute times and traffic can be a factor depending on where your job is located.

Less diversity in some areas (demographic, economic) than more urban settings.

Is Draper a Good Fit If You Want To Buy a $500K+ Home?

Yes, especially if you:

Have a solid or dual income in a high-paying field (tech, healthcare, leadership).

Can make a down payment and have good credit.

Don’t mind paying a little premium for amenities, views, access to nature, etc.

Are okay with property and maintenance costs, possibly higher mortgage payments, etc.

Ready to Move? We’re Here to Help Make It Easy

If you’re moving within Utah to Draper, we know it’s more than just a change of address — it’s a new chapter. As one of the trusted moving companies in Salt Lake City, My Small Moves is here to make that transition as easy and stress-free as possible. Our Salt Lake City movers take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on what really matters — settling into your new home and starting this exciting adventure. Moving can be overwhelming, but with us by your side, you’ll have trusted friends helping you every step of the way. Reach out today, and let’s make your move to Draper smooth and memorable!