Movers

Kentucky to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,637 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Jell-O), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs modern, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Bourbon BBQ Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Jell-O & Utah Scones with Honey Butter
  • Utah housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in Utah is 28.64% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to Utah will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to Utah movers is 801 Moving Company

Kentucky to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Utah

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • High humidity
  • Limited skiing
  • Fewer national parks
  • More insects
  • Longer commutes
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Dry climate
  • World-class skiing
  • Stunning national parks
  • Fewer insects
  • Cities close together

Utah iconUtah
  • Arid landscapes
  • Less diversity
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Stricter alcohol laws
  • Higher cost of living
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Lush greenery
  • Warm community
  • Rich history
  • Famous bourbon
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from Kentucky to Utah

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited skiing and moving to Utah with world-class skiing
  • Swap the fewer national parks of Kentucky for stunning national parks in Utah
  • Get ready for fewer insects in Utah

Cons of moving from Kentucky to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lush greenery in Kentucky to live with arid landscapes in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a warm community and have to settle for the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historic sites in Utah
  • Swap famous bourbon for stricter alcohol laws

Kentucky vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenJell-O
Most popular meat dishBourbon BBQ PorkUtah Scones with Honey Butter
Most popular street food itemHot Brown SandwichFry Sauce with anything fried
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichVegan "Cheese" Jell-O Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Mammy's Kitchen
  • Jack Fry's
  • The Local Taco
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Kentucky to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Jell-O of Utah. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Bourbon BBQ Pork and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones with Honey Butter and Fry Sauce with anything fried to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan 'Cheese' Jell-O Salad of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Mammy's Kitchen, Jack Fry's, and The Local Taco. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Log Haven, Red Iguana, and Hire's Big H.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Utah

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanModern, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, privacyMountain views, access to nature
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and access to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Utah is more walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • Utah housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in Utah is 28.64% more expensive than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87/6690/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41/2437/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4820
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1156
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Utah. Utah gets 22% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • The average summer high temperature in Utah is 3 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows in Utah are 4 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Utah

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Avg. Household Income$59,341$89,168
Cost of Living Index87.895.75
State Income Tax5%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.86%0.60%
Avg. Sales Tax6%7%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, AutomotiveTechnology, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 50% more than in Kentucky
  • The COLI in Utah is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.95% compared to 5% in KY
  • The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and low in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Utah

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Political Make-upTraditionally leans Republican, with pockets of Democratic supportStrongly Republican, with significant conservative influence
Local PoliticsMixed, with urban areas favoring Democrats and rural areas favoring RepublicansConservatively aligned, with some moderate-liberal areas in larger cities
ReligionChristianity predominates, with a mix of Protestant and Catholic adherentsThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is highly influential
  • Kentucky tends to lean traditionally Republican with pockets of Democratic support in its political climate.
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican with significant conservative influence.
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) being highly influential.
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominating with a mix of Protestant and Catholic adherents.

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Utah

ComparisonKentuckyUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPoe Classical School - Louisville
Barret Traditional Middle - Louisville
Anchorage Independent Public School - Anchorage
McMillan Elementary School - Murray
Hawthorne Elementary School - Salt Lake City
Ensign Elementary School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDupont Manual High - Louisville
Barret Traditional Middle - Louisville
Glasgow Middle School - Glasgow
Mountain Ridge Junior High - Highland
Centennial Middle School - Provo
Draper Park Middle School - Draper
Top 3 High School SchoolsDupont Manual High - Louisville
Highlands High School - Fort Thomas
North Oldham High School - Goshen
Academy for Math
Engineering & Science (AMES) - Salt Lake City
Northern Utah Academy for Math
Engineering & Science (NUAMES) - Layton
Skyline High School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 private high schoolsSacred Heart Academy - Louisville
St. Xavier High School - Louisville
Kentucky Country Day School - Louisville
Rowland Hall - Salt Lake City
Waterford School - Sandy
The Madeleine Choir School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Lexington School - Lexington
Kentucky Country Day School - Louisville
Sayre School - Lexington
Waterford School - Sandy
Rowland Hall - Salt Lake City
The Madeleine Choir School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 School DistrictsFayette County Public Schools
Jefferson County Public Schools
Oldham County Schools
Park City School District
Davis School District
Grand School District

How Much Do Kentucky to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 1,637 miles from Kentucky to Utah will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,131300 ft3$7.10
1 Bedroom$3,173450 ft3$7.05
2 Bedrooms$5,251750 ft3$7.00
3 Bedrooms$7,6471100 ft3$6.95
4 Bedrooms$11,0431600 ft3$6.90
5+ Bedrooms$12,3331800 ft3$6.85

Top Kentucky to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Utah

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details