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Idaho to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 499 mile interstate move from Idaho to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse employment opportunities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Utah Scones), real estate & housing (ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Utah Scones & Fry Sauce with Everything
  • Utah housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in Utah is 4.25% more expensive than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to Utah will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Idaho to Utah movers is 208 Moving Company

Idaho to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Utah

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Limited job market
  • Harsh winters
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Limited nightlife
  • Fewer education choices
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Diverse employment opportunities
  • Milder climate
  • More cultural events
  • Vibrant social scene
  • Renowned universities

Utah iconUtah
  • Higher living expenses
  • More urban sprawl
  • Less personal connections
  • Increased traffic
  • Less secluded nature spots
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Low cost of living
  • Stunning landscapes
  • Tight-knit communities
  • Limited traffic congestion
  • Outdoor recreation

Pros of moving from Idaho to Utah

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse employment opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Utah with milder climate
  • Swap the less cultural diversity of Idaho for more cultural events in Utah
  • Get ready for vibrant social scene in Utah

Cons of moving from Idaho to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low cost of living in Idaho to live with higher living expenses in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of stunning landscapes and have to settle for the con of more urban sprawl
  • Time to bid farewell to tight-knit communities and get used to less personal connections in Utah
  • Swap limited traffic congestion for increased traffic

Idaho vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesUtah Scones
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutFry Sauce with Everything
Most popular street food itemBoise Fry Company FriesPastrami Burgers
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Mormon Funeral Potatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Broadway Bar & Grill
  • State & Lemp
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Gourmandise
  • Red Iguana
  • Lone Star Taqueria
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Utah Scones of Utah. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Boise Fry Company Fries, Utah residents know they have tasty Fry Sauce with Everything and Pastrami Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Mormon Funeral Potatoes of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Broadway Bar & Grill, State & Lemp, and Boise Fry Company. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Gourmandise, Red Iguana, and Lone Star Taqueria.

When comparing lifestyles, Utah shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Utah, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Utah.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Utah

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Typical Architecture StyleRanchCraftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsEnergy efficiency, proximity to parks
  • The Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to parks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Utah is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Utah is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • Utah housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in Utah is 4.25% more expensive than in Idaho.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Utah

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersFloods, WildfiresEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 53°F90°F / 62°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 16°F37°F / 20°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1812
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6056
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Utah. Utah gets 16% more sunshine days than Idaho.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and wildfires in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 5 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Utah

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Avg. Household Income$72,785$89,168
Cost of Living Index91.595.75
State Income Tax6.925%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.69%0.58%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.1%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TechnologyTechnology, Mining, Finance
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowLower
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 23% more than in Idaho
  • The COLI in Utah will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in Utah is 4.95% compared to 6.925% in Idaho
  • The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
  • The poverty level is lower in Utah compared to low poverty in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Idaho and low in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Utah

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Political Make-upConservative, Republican-dominatedConservative, Strong Republican presence
Local PoliticsMix of local governance styles, community-focusedCommunity and family-oriented governance
ReligionChristian-majority, with significant LDS populationMajority LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative and Republican-dominated in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with a strong Republican presence
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as majority LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian-majority with a significant LDS population

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Utah

ComparisonIdahoUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of Utah
Utah State University
Brigham Young University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary (Boise)
Ponderosa Elementary (Meridian)
White Pine Elementary (Boise)
Edgemont Elementary (Provo)
Suncrest Elementary (Orem)
Northridge Elementary (Highland)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High (Boise)
Lakes Magnet School (Coeur d'Alene)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian)
Centennial Middle School (Provo)
Mountain Ridge Junior High (Highland)
Draper Park Middle School (Draper)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene)
Lone Peak High School (Highland)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City)
Davis High School (Kaysville)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Park City Day School (Park City)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
American Heritage School (American Fork)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
West Ada School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Alpine School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do Idaho to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 499 miles from Idaho to Utah will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,485300 ft3$4.95
1 Bedroom$2,206450 ft3$4.90
2 Bedrooms$3,638750 ft3$4.85
3 Bedrooms$5,2811100 ft3$4.80
4 Bedrooms$7,6021600 ft3$4.75
5+ Bedrooms$8,4621800 ft3$4.70

Top Idaho to Utah Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Utah movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Utah

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Utah Routes

Boise to Utah