Best Places to Live in Utah (Daybreak Ranks One of the Highest)
Written By: Connor Anderson
Even after a year of change, Daybreak keeps rising. In 2020, homebuyers flocked here, sales surged, and national rankings followed. Today—still from a 2023 vantage—you can see why: people value walkability, variety, and a real sense of community. Below, we recap the standout facts and then show what makes Daybreak one of the best places to live in Utah.
Fast Facts
- 1,055 new homes sold in 2020—a record for any Utah community.
- +40% year‑over‑year increase in Daybreak home sales versus 2019.
- Ranked #5 in the U.S. and #1 in Utah among top‑selling master‑planned communities, per RCLCO.
- Also recognized in a separate national list by John Burns Real Estate Consulting.
Source: January 2023 Daybreak post citing RCLCO’s Top‑Selling MPCs and John Burns research.
Why Daybreak Keeps Winning
Real community: The nonprofit LiveDAYBREAK connects neighbors through concerts, classes, and events.
Choices for every stage: Explore over 30+ home collections across five neighborhoods. Start here: Find a Home.
Walkability you can feel: Thanks to the 5‑Minute Life, every home sits within a short walk of the lake, a park, a pool, or a café.
Urban energy: Restaurants, shops, and TRAX light rail stations weave into the community—an energy that will keep growing with Downtown Daybreak.
According to two separate reports released this month, RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, Daybreak continues to rank as one of the top-selling master planned communities in the United States.
Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities
RCLCO, a real estate advisory firm, has conducted a national survey identifying the top-selling master planned communities since 1994. Since the community was established in 2004, Daybreak has ranked in the Top 20 communities in the survey multiple times. The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities report, released earlier this month, ranks Daybreak at #5 in the nation and #1 in Utah, based on total home sales. Read the full article, here.
So…Why Do So Many People Want to Live in Daybreak?
Choices:
Daybreak features all kinds of homes for all kinds of people. There are over 30 unique home collections and five different neighborhoods to choose from.
Walkability and the 5-minute rule:
Every home in Daybreak is located within a 5-minute walk of some kind of amenity whether it’s the lake, a park, a pool, or a neighborhood cafe
Urban Vibe:
Even if you’re more of a backyard and white picket fence kind of person, those who live here enjoy Daybreak’s urban vibe with restaurants, shops, and light rail stations located right in the neighborhood. That vibe is getting kicked up a notch with the emergence of Downtown Daybreak located in the heart of the community.
Real Community:
Daybreak has it’s own non-profit organization called LiveDAYBREAK that exists to help residents connect with one another through a variety of events, activities and other functions. These connections become long term friendships for many who are now living in their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th home in Daybreak.
From 2023: What It Means for Buyers
Put simply, demand validates the lifestyle. Buyers—from first‑timers to empty nesters—chose Daybreak for the mix of home types, parks, lake access, and everyday convenience. Because choices keep expanding, you can find a home that fits now and later.
Plan a Visit
- Browse Move‑In Ready homes and current floorplans.
- Map model‑home stops with TourDaybreak.com.
- Make it a day: stroll Oquirrh Lake, then grab a bite at SoDa Row.
What the rankings measure: RCLCO and John Burns evaluate new‑home sales in master‑planned communities nationwide. High rankings signal strong buyer interest, robust builder activity, and a cohesive community plan.
