A surprising—and not entirely flattering—recognition has landed on a Utah locale. According to various nationwide rankings, a city in Utah has been tagged among the least glamorous or “ugliest.” Let’s dive into what this designation means, how the rankings were determined, why this city stood out (for not the best reasons), and what locals think about it.
The Ranking: Least Glamorous or ‘Ugliest’
In February 2023, LawnStarter, an outdoor home-service company, published its list of America’s 200 largest cities ranked by six “glamour” categories: fine dining, beauty, fashion, entertainment, clubs, and status/wealth. Out of the 200, West Valley City in Utah landed dead last at #200, earning the label of least glamorous in the country.
Broken down:
- Beauty: 191st
- Entertainment: 198th
- Fine dining: 176th
- Clubs: Middle-of-the-pack
- Fashion, status, and wealth: Bottom tier
The methodology was fairly robust: the LawnStarter team compiled data across 39 “glam factors” tied to those six categories, including metrics like the number of yacht clubs (yes, really), Michelin-rated restaurants, luxury retailers, fine-dining venues, plastic surgeons, and million-dollar homes.
Naturally, a landlocked suburb like West Valley City—once the host of several 2002 Olympic events—has a scant presence of yacht clubs or upscale dining, significantly impacting its glamour score.
What Glamour (and ‘Ugliness’) Really Means Here
To fully understand how West Valley City earned this stigma, it helps to unpack what these rankings emphasize:
- Fine dining & entertainment: Focused on high-end and cultural scene – West Valley ranked near-bottom.
- Beauty & aesthetics: Metrics likely include parkscapes, green spaces, and overall visual appeal—also low-scoring.
- Elite infrastructure: Its landlocked geography means a lack of yacht clubs or waterfront development.
- Wealth & fashion presence: A smaller luxury market compared to major metros.
- Nightlife & clubs: While not the worst, still below bigger cities.
These combined into one composite score, ranking West Valley City 200th. It’s worth noting that rankings focused on glamour don’t capture local strengths—like community resilience, affordability, or access to nature.
A Pattern of Similar Rankings
This isn’t West Valley City’s first dip in such lists:
- In 2022, it was named the least “artsy” city in America.
- Also placed last among 200 U.S. cities for breakfast and bagel love; and 197th in pizza rankings.
Taken together, these rankings paint a picture of a city not known for cultural cachet, culinary fame, or glamorous amenities—but such lists often overlook deeper community value.
Local Response: Criticism and Resurgence
Media coverage—from Utah Public Radio to ABC4 and Fox 13—took the rankings in stride, some with bemusement . Locals have offered mixed reactions: some bristled at the labels, while others cited the suburbs’ pragmatic, affordable character.
A related list even humorously labeled West Valley the “ugliest” Utah city—though that claim stems more from these runaway least-glamour designations, rather than an independent aesthetic assessment .
Still, many residents say the city is undergoing rejuvenation: revitalization of downtown areas, growing cultural and dining scenes, and investment in public spaces. So while it may lack Michelin stars and yacht clubs, it may be quietly redefining its identity.
Context: Comparing Salt Lake and the Rest of Utah
It’s important to note that Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital and largest metro, fared much better in these rankings—placing 42nd overall, above the glamour median . It scored:
- 25th in wealth and status
- 64th in fine dining
- Moderate in clubs (105th)
So while West Valley City took the lowest spot, Salt Lake City holds its own among its peers.
Beyond Labels: What Residents See
Online forums and Reddit discussions about Utah cities highlight patterns of criticism, especially toward dense suburban sprawl. For example, many users describe the Salt Lake suburbs (including West Valley City and West Jordan) as “soulless,” with little urban charm or greenery.
Quotes like:
“Pretty much everything manmade in Utah is a dogshit ugly as the nature is beautiful.”
capture that disconnect: spectacular natural backdrops stand in stark contrast to flat, car-dominant cityscapes.
Is This All Bad? The Silver Linings
Despite the “ugly” or “least glamorous” tags, West Valley City has strengths that don’t show up in rankings:
- Affordability: Lower housing costs than Salt Lake City.
- Olympic heritage: Hosted 2002 Winter Games venues.
- Growing community assets: Cultural and retail investments are on the rise.
- Proximity to nature: Easy access to parks, trails, and outdoor recreation.
And these lists also tend to rely on narrow definitions of glamour—intentionally spotlighting linear metrics like Michelin stars or yacht clubs—not capturing grassroots culture, local entrepreneurs, or evolving arts scenes.
Conclusion
The “ugliest” or “least glamorous” tag might sting—but it’s rooted more in how rankings define urban value than in everyday quality of life. West Valley City, like many mid‑sized suburbs, lacks Luxury-Enclave markers—but it also offers affordability, access to nature, and growing community grit.
If you’ve spent time there, you might see bustling cultural pockets where the ranking missed. If you’re planning a visit—or living there—remember: sometimes what looks like “ugly” from the ranking perspective is where real people live, work, and build their lives.