Missouri to Utah Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,251 mile interstate move from Missouri to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe tornado risk vs lower natural disaster risk), food & health (like St. Louis-style BBQ vs Funeral potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style BBQ and Smoked brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Funeral potatoes & Utah scones (often served with honey butter and meat)
- Utah housing costs are 113% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Utah is 26.18% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Utah will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to Utah movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Utah Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Utah
- Severe tornado risk
- High humidity
- Limited winter sports
- Urban decay in some areas
- Lower natural disaster risk
- Arid climate
- Abundant skiing options
- Clean mountain air
- Higher cost of living
- Limited public transit
- Dryer landscapes
- Fewer BBQ options
- Rich cultural history
- Lower housing costs
- Scenic river views
- Great BBQ cuisine
Pros of moving from Missouri to Utah
- Say goodbye to severe tornado risk and hello to lower natural disaster risk
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Utah with arid climate
- Swap the limited winter sports of Missouri for abundant skiing options in Utah
- Get ready for clean mountain air in Utah
Cons of moving from Missouri to Utah
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural history in Missouri to live with higher cost of living in Utah
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower housing costs and have to settle with the con of limited public transit
- Time to bid farewell to scenic river views and get used to drier landscapes in Utah
- Swap great BBQ cuisine for fewer BBQ options
Missouri vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style BBQ | Funeral potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked brisket | Utah scones (often served with honey butter and meat) |
Most popular street food item | Toasted ravioli | Fry sauce with anything fried |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit | Vegan Mormon gravy |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Missouri to Utah, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Funeral Potatoes of Utah. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones (often served with honey butter and meat) and Fry Sauce with anything fried to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Mormon Gravy of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Side Street Grill, and Arthur Bryant's. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Hire's Big H, Red Iguana, and The Cliff Dining Pub.
When comparing lifestyles, Utah shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Utah, compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Utah.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Utah
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Ranch, Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Historic charm | Mountain views, Proximity to national parks |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Contemporary architecture typical of Utah.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and historic charm, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to national parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Utah is less walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Utah is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Utah has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Utah housing costs are 113% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Utah is 26.18% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Utah
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, floods | Earthquakes, wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 67Β°F | 90Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 21Β°F | 37Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Utah. Utah gets 11% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
- The average summer high temperature in Utah is 2 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows in Utah are 1 degree colder than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Utah
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $89,168 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95.75 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.67% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.23% | 4.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Tech, Mining, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 38% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in Utah will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in Utah is 4.95% compared to 5.4% in Missouri
- The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
- The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Missouri and low in Utah
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Utah
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Tends towards a mix, with Republican leanings | Strongly Republican-dominated |
Local Politics | Moderately conservative, urban vs. rural divide | Conservative, with some progressive urban centers |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious communities | Latter-Day Saints majority, affecting local culture and politics |
- Missouri tends to lean towards a mix with Republican leanings in its political climate
- Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican-dominated
- Utah's religious environment can be described as a Latter-Day Saints majority affecting local culture and politics
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Utah
Comparison | Missouri | Utah |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University University of Central Missouri | University of Utah Brigham Young University Utah State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Clayton School District (Clayton) Parkway School District (Chesterfield) Ladue School District (Ladue) | Edgemont Elementary School (Provo) North Star Academy (Bluffdale) Hawthorne Elementary School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wydown Middle School (Clayton) | Centennial Middle School (Provo) Fairfield Jr. High (Kaysville) Indian Hills Middle School (Sandy) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) Parkway West High School (Ballwin) | Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Salt Lake City) Timpview High School (Provo) Skyline High School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 private high schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (Ladue) MICDS (St. Louis) | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) MICDS (St. Louis) Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Layton Christian Academy (Layton) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District (Clayton) Ladue School District (Ladue) Parkway School District (Chesterfield) | Alpine School District (American Fork) Davis School District (Farmington) Canyons School District (Sandy) |
How Much Do Missouri to Utah Movers Cost?
Moving 1,251 miles from Missouri to Utah will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,912 | 300 ft3 | $6.37 |
1 Bedroom | $2,845 | 450 ft3 | $6.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,704 | 750 ft3 | $6.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,845 | 1100 ft3 | $6.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,876 | 1600 ft3 | $6.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,020 | 1800 ft3 | $6.12 |
Top Missouri to Utah Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Utah movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Utah