Movers

Michigan to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,696 mile interstate move from Michigan to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winter snowstorms vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Fry Sauce), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Fry Sauce & Utah Scones
  • Utah housing costs are 117% more expensive than they are in Michigan
  • Rent in Utah is 16.10% more expensive than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to Utah will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Michigan to Utah movers is Pro-Low Moving

Michigan to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Utah

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winter snowstorms
  • Crowded metro areas
  • Rust belt economy
  • High humidity
  • Tough job market
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Milder winters
  • Less traffic
  • Thriving tech industry
  • Dry climate
  • Growing job opportunities

Utah iconUtah
  • Less diverse culture
  • Limited water sources
  • Limited seasonal change
  • Fewer educational options
  • Homogeneous population
Michigan iconMichigan
  • Vibrant arts scene
  • Beautiful lakes
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Renowned universities
  • Cultural diversity

Pros of moving from Michigan to Utah

  • Say goodbye to harsh winter snowstorms and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from crowded metro areas and moving to Utah with less traffic
  • Swap the rust belt economy of Michigan for a thriving tech industry in Utah
  • Get ready for a dry climate in Utah

Cons of moving from Michigan to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant arts scene in Michigan to live with a less diverse culture in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful lakes and have to settle for the con of limited water sources
  • Time to bid farewell to four distinct seasons and get used to limited seasonal change in Utah
  • Swap renowned universities for fewer educational options

Michigan vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganUtah
Most iconic local food itemPastiesFry Sauce
Most popular meat dishDetroit-style PizzaUtah Scones
Most popular street food itemConey DogNavajo Taco
Most popular vegan foodTempehQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©
  • Red Iguana
  • Takashi
  • HSL
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 Michigan to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Fry Sauce of Utah. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones and Navajo Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, Takashi, and HSL.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Utah

ComparisonMichiganUtah
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCraftsman, Ranch
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 listingLakeside access, Energy efficientMountain views, Open-concept floor plans
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside access and energy efficiency, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open-concept floor plans.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Utah is less walkable than Michigan.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • Utah housing costs are 117% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in Utah is 16.10% more expensive than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganUtah
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 DisastersBlizzards, ThunderstormsEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)79/5890/68
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1737/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)30.712.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.754.1
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Utah. Utah gets 40% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and thunderstorms in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and avalanches in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 11 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 18.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Utah

ComparisonMichiganUtah
Avg. Household Income$66,986$89,168
Cost of Living Index91.295.75
State Income Tax4.254.85
Avg. Property Tax1.620.60
Avg. Sales Tax6.006.10
Top 3 IndustriesAutomotive, Manufacturing, HealthcareTechnology, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 33% more than those in Michigan
  • The COLI in Utah is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.85 compared to 4.25 in MI
  • The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Utah

ComparisonMichiganUtah
Political Make-upSwing State, varies in national electionsStrongly Republican, consistent in national elections
Local PoliticsLiberal in urban areas like DetroitConservative, with exceptions in places like Salt Lake City
ReligionChristianity dominates, diverse religious communitiesMajority LDS (Mormon) Church
  • Michigan tends to lean swing State, varying in national elections in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican and consistent in national elections
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as majority LDS (Mormon) Church
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominates and diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Utah

ComparisonMichiganUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHuntington Woods Elementary (Huntington Woods)
Musson Elementary School (Rochester)
Okemos Public Montessori-Central (Okemos)
City Academy (Salt Lake City)
Oakridge School (Salt Lake City)
Hawthorne Elementary School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBoulan Park Middle School (Troy)
West Middle School (Rochester Hills)
Clague Middle School (Ann Arbor)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Waterford School (Sandy)
Challenger School-Sandy (Sandy)
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
Troy High School (Troy)
Rochester Adams High School (Rochester Hills)
Academy for Math
Engineering & Science (Salt Lake City)
Itineris Early College High (West Jordan)
Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Layton)
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Waterford School (Sandy)
Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRoeper School (Bloomfield Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Waterford School (Sandy)
Top 3 School DistrictsOakland Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Park City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do Michigan to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 1,696 miles from Michigan to Utah will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,164300 ft3$7.21
1 Bedroom$3,223450 ft3$7.16
2 Bedrooms$5,335750 ft3$7.11
3 Bedrooms$7,7701100 ft3$7.06
4 Bedrooms$11,2211600 ft3$7.01
5+ Bedrooms$12,5341800 ft3$6.96

Top Michigan to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Utah

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Michigan to Utah Routes

Grand Rapids to Utah