SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Chamber, in partnership with the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has released the August 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Economic Dashboard to inform business leaders’ understanding of Utah’s economy. This tool prioritizes key data on the state’s economic outlook and actionable context for decision-makers.
“Despite the pressure of rising prices, consumers and businesses alike are displaying the characteristic adaptability and optimism of Utah’s economy,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber. “Even though some growth markers are below historical averages, Utah is in a markedly better position for the future than much of the country. Rising consumer sentiment also suggests that Utahns have growing confidence in the state’s economy.”
Three essential insights from the August 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Dashboard include:
- Utah employment grew 1.4% year-over in July, while national employment changed little with 0.3% annual growth. While Utah’s employment growth comes in lower than its historical average, which equals between two and three percent, it exceeds the national average by a strong margin. Utah ranked 4th highest among states in July.
- Utah consumer sentiment increased for the third consecutive month but remained below early-year levels. Utah and national consumer sentiment diverged, with Utah increasing 2.7% and the nation falling 6.3% from July to August. Utah’s comparatively strong labor market may explain this divergence in sentiment.
- Utah taxable retail sales grew 4.9% during the first half of 2026. With inflation averaging roughly 3.3%, inflation-adjusted taxable sales increased about 1.6% year-to-date. Consumer spending remained resilient despite rising prices.
The Dashboard is updated monthly, providing essential insights, tracking timely and leading measures, and sharing pertinent indicators. This provides leaders with critical and timely information to make informed decisions.
“Utah’s economy continues to demonstrate underlying resilience, supported by a comparatively strong labor market, improving consumer sentiment and steady consumer spending,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. “At the same time, employment growth remains below historical norms as households and businesses navigate elevated costs and broader uncertainty. Taken together, these indicators point to a continuation of a subdued economy, even as Utah remains favorably positioned relative to much of the nation.”
To view the dashboard, click here.
About the Utah Chamber
The Utah Chamber is a statewide chamber of commerce, representing the diverse voices of the state’s 80,000-plus employers and their employees. The Chamber unites the voices of Utah businesses, local chambers and industry associations to build a stronger business environment, increase healthy job creation and support prosperous communities across the state.
About the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders in the Utah economy, and specialists in public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.