Magna is a mid-sized township located in Salt Lake County on the Great Salt Lake just 15 miles outside Salt Lake City. Once known as Pleasant Green, Magna is now one of SLC’s most popular bedroom communities. What is Magna known for? A picturesque downtown and the Great Salt Lake! Magna sits right on the southern shore of the Western Hemisphere’s largest salt water lake. Residents enjoy beautiful views of the Oquirrh Mountains, especially in the winter, as well as sunsets at the Great Salt Lake Marina. The township is home to family-friendly parks, an all-ages venue, and the Silver Sands Beach with uniquely spherical oolitic sand.
Thinking about moving to Magna, UT? This definitive guide covers everything you should know about living in Magna, including its climate, economy, and the top things to do in Magna.
Magna Demographics & Population Info
The township of Magna, UT in Salt Lake County has a population of 28,000 and a median age of 30, about average for Utah, the youngest state in the U.S. This quiet suburb of Salt Lake City has a median household income of $58,000, lower than the average in the big city but with a lower cost of living.
Curious about the people you’ll meet and befriend while living in Magna? The township experienced a massive boom in population in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to suburbanization and low housing costs which attracted (and continue to attract!) working-class couples and young families. The city is somewhat diverse at 64% white, 31% Hispanic, and 1% Asian and a foreign-born population of almost 15%, higher than the U.S. average and on the rise.
Top Magna Neighborhoods to Explore
As you imagine living in Magna, it helps to get a feel for the best neighborhoods in Magna so you can see the types of amenities you’ll enjoy. Magna may be small, but it’s home to several neighborhoods and subdivisions.
One of the most family-friendly Magna neighborhoods is the Pleasant Green Acres subdivision. Located in central Magna, the subdivision is adjacent to Pleasant Green Park. The park hosts concerts and family-friendly events with basketball, volleyball, a sports field, and horseshoes plus a large playground.
Looking for an active adult community? Millpoint is one of Magna’s newest communities with maintenance-free living, walking trails, bocce ball, and a putting green to enjoy. Millpoint is part of the April Acres neighborhood.
Prefer new construction? While many homes in Magna were built in the 1970s through the 1990s, home builders are starting to construct new neighborhoods in Magna, UT. One of the latest is Oquirrh View, a 40-lot subdivision that’s an addition to an established, family-friendly community. The development is near the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the southern edge of the township with homes in the $300s.
The Magna zip code is 84044. Magna area codes are 801 and 385.
Cost of Living in Magna, UT
As you consider whether moving to Magna is right for you, it’s important to ask, what is the cost of living in Magna? How does the average cost of living in Magna, UT compare with Salt Lake and the national average? In general, Magna is fairly affordable and right around the national cost of living index. By comparison, Salt Lake City has a much higher cost of living thanks to higher housing costs. Magna is one of the most affordable suburbs of SLC and medium cities in all of Utah.
The average rent in Magna is $1,160 for a 1,025-square-foot apartment. That’s just a bit lower than the $1,250 average Salt Lake residents pay, higher than the Utah average, but about in line with the U.S. median rent. It’s important to note that Magna doesn’t have a large number of rental properties, however. If you’re relocating to Magna and planning to rent, start your search for an apartment early.
About 80% of people living in Magna live in an owner-occupied home. The median home price in Magna, UT is $160,500 — far more reasonable than Salt Lake at $267,000 and below the median U.S. home price of $227,000. Planning to buy a home? Start your search for Magna, UT homes for sale to see what your budget can get you.
Magna, UT Climate — What to Expect
What kind of Magna weather should you expect? Despite being located at the foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains, Magna is somewhat shielded and doesn’t get the same amount of snow as other cities in the Wasatch Front. Still, you can expect about 41 inches of snow every year, much higher than the U.S. average of 28 inches, plus 18 inches of rain every year. Make sure you shop for a good winter coat if you’re used to a warm climate!
Magna has about 222 sunny days a year. During the summer, temperatures get as high as 92 degrees and drop as low as 24 during the winter.
Restaurants & Best Things to Do in Magna, UT
Ready to explore the fun waiting for you once you’re living in Magna, UT? This family-friendly township offers plenty to see and do with endless outdoor recreation. You don’t need to drive to the big city to have fun! Here are a few of the top restaurants in Magna and its best attractions.
The Great Saltair
The Great Saltair is one of the most recognizable music venues in the Salt Lake Valley! This all ages venue is one of the best things to do in Magna with regular shows, a full bar, and a history that dates back to 1893 when it was opened as a lakeside resort and one of America’s first amusement parks.
The Great Saltair, 12408 W Saltair Dr, Magna, UT 84044 (801) 250-6205
Great Salt Lake State Park
Enjoy sweeping views of the stunning Great Salt Lake, take in bird watching, and watch the boats sail across the lake at one of Utah’s best state parks — and one of the most fun things to do in Magna, UT!
Great Salt Lake State Park, 13312 West 1075 South, Magna, UT 84044 (801) 828-0787
El Habanero
You’ll love stopping by the best restaurant in Magna with famously tasty enchiladas and Chiles Rellenos. Don’t forget to grab a house margarita to go with your meal!
El Habanero, 8164 W 3500 S, Magna, UT 84044 (801) 508-1020
Brew Monkey Coffee House and Deli
Grab a cup of coffee and fresh-made deli sandwich while catching up with friends or finishing up a bit of work at Magna’s best coffee shop!
Brew Monkey Coffee House and Deli, 3441 S 8400 W, Magna, UT 84044 (801) 508-1086
Top-Rated Magna, UT Schools
A whopping 24% of Magna’s population is between 5 and 17, so it’s no surprise that education plays a big role in the community. Magna is part of the Granite School District and served by five elementary schools, Matheson Junior High, and Cyprus High School. There are also charter schools like Etheos Academy Magna and private schools and daycares like Alianza Academy.
Considering your higher education opportunities? There are dozens of colleges and universities a short drive from Magna including:
- Broadview University West Jordan (8 miles)
- Salt Lake City Community College (8 miles)
- Latter-day Saints Business College (10 miles)
- Stevens Henager College Murray (10 miles)
- Westminster College (12 miles)
- University of Utah (13 miles)
- DeVry University Utah (13 miles)
- Neumont College of Computer Science (14 miles)
Jobs in Magna & Top Industries
While Magna has a number of jobs in retail, manufacturing, and health care, it’s a popular bedroom community of SLC and many residents commute to Salt Lake City (15 miles) or West Valley City (6 miles) or work.
West Valley City is especially known for its career opportunities in the health care industry while Salt Lake City has a more diverse economy centered around banking, technology, call centers, conventions, and the LDS Church.
If you’re relocating to Magna for a job or you’re thinking about changing fields, top employers in the area include:
- Discover Financial *
- United Parcel Service
- Swift Transportation
- Intermountain Healthcare *
- Delta Air Lines *
- Sutter Health
- Salt Lake County *
- Zion Bank
* These employers also made the list of the best employers to work for in the state of Utah!
Curious what your commute would look like from Magna? Here’s how to get from Magna, UT to Salt Lake City which is 15 miles away. The commute from Magna to West Valley City is even easier; the two are connected by UT-171.
Living in Magna, UT Tips
- Choose from several neighborhoods, including family-friendly subdivisions and active adult community
- Enjoy 222 average days of sun per year with plenty of snow in the winter
- Get an education at more than one dozen area colleges and universities
- Find a career in several nearby cities with top-rated employers
- Enjoy great local restaurants, outdoor recreation, and nearby big-city amenities
Is Magna, UT a good place to live? With its very convenient location just outside West Valley City and SLC, affordable housing, and family-friendly amenities, you’ll feel right at home living in Magna, Utah! If you’ve settled on relocating to Magna, our top-rated Magna movers are standing by to help. Give Wasatch Moving Company a call today at (801) 758-0030 to request your free moving quote!
