Salt Lake City Multifamily Report – Spring 2021
The metro's well-insulated multifamily market recorded steady growth both last year and in 2021's first quarter.
Salt Lake City rent evolution, click to enlarge
Backed by a diverse economy, a highly skilled workforce and relative affordability, Salt Lake City has proved highly resilient in the face of adversity. At 0.4 percent on a trailing three-month basis through February, rate growth has been positive for the ninth consecutive month. Average rents clocked in at $1,249 in February, $150 below the national figure.
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Salt Lake City sales volume and number of properties sold, click to enlarge
At 3.5 percent as of January, the unemployment rate in Salt Lake City was among the lowest in the country. In 2020, trade, transportation and utilities added 13,700 positions—a 5.2 percent improvement—while the government and construction sectors added 3,500 jobs and 3,300 jobs, respectively. Overall, employment contracted by only 1.1 percent, well above the national rate, mainly due to Salt Lake City’s strong economy preceding the pandemic. Many large employers—including Amazon, eBay and Adobe—are establishing roots in Utah, taking advantage of the highly educated employment base, low cost of doing business and ease of air travel. Due to Salt Lake City’s location, the industrial sector has also been recording strong growth.
Over the first two months of 2021, developers completed 254 units and investors closed on only three significant deals. Despite the slow start, Salt Lake City is positioned to follow up on its swift rebound, as multifamily demand remains healthy.
