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Montana to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 742 mile interstate move from Montana to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Huckleberries vs Jell-O), real estate & housing (ranch/cabin vs craftsman/modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Huckleberries and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Jell-O & Fry sauce with everything
  • Utah housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in Utah is 19.50% more expensive than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to Utah will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Montana to Utah movers is 801 Moving Company

Montana to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Utah

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Cold winters
  • Limited city amenities
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Older infrastructure
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Milder winters
  • More urban amenities
  • More job opportunities
  • Modern infrastructure

Utah iconUtah
  • Higher cost of living
  • More crowded cities
  • Fast-paced cities
  • More transient
Montana iconMontana
  • Scenic beauty
  • Less congestion
  • Tranquil lifestyle
  • Strong community

Pros of moving from Montana to Utah

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited city amenities and moving to Utah with more urban amenities
  • Swap the fewer job opportunities of Montana for more job opportunities in Utah
  • Get ready for modern infrastructure in Utah

Cons of moving from Montana to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic beauty in Montana to live with a higher cost of living in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less congestion and have to settle with the con of more crowded cities
  • Time to bid farewell to a tranquil lifestyle and get used to fast-paced cities in Utah
  • Swap a strong community for a more transient one

Montana vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Most iconic local food itemHuckleberriesJell-O
Most popular meat dishBison steakFry sauce with everything
Most popular street food itemPastiesNavajo tacos
Most popular vegan foodLentil ChiliVegan Mormon Funeral Potatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • MacKenzie River Pizza Co.
  • The Last Best Place
  • The Grizzly Grill
  • Red Iguana
  • SLC Eatery
  • Rainbow Sky
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Montana to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Huckleberries of Montana for the equally delicious Jell-O of Utah. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Pasties, Utah residents know they have tasty Fry sauce with everything and Navajo tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Chili 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 Montana eateries like MacKenzie River Pizza Co., The Last Best Place, and The Grizzly Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, SLC Eatery, and Rainbow Sky.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Utah

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleRanch/CabinCraftsman/Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingMountain views, Open spaceProximity to parks, Energy efficiency
  • The Ranch/Cabin architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman/Modern architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open space, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Utah is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • Utah housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Montana's $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in Utah is 19.50% more expensive than in Montana.

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

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVaries by region
Average Summer High/Low (°F)82°F / 45°F90°F / 62°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 17°F37°F / 20°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1520
Annual Snowfall (Inches)9060
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to Utah. Utah gets 16% more sunshine days than Montana.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, 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 8 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows in Utah are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Utah. Utah receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Utah

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Avg. Household Income$67,631$89,168
Cost of Living Index99.495.75
State Income Tax6.9%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%0.58%
Avg. Sales Tax0%4.85%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, MiningTechnology, Education, Healthcare
AffluenceAverageAbove Average
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 32% more than those in Montana
  • The COLI in Utah is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.95% compared to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in Utah is above average compared to average in Montana
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and low in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Utah

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMixed, with regional variancesConservative, with some liberal enclaves
ReligionChristian majority, with Protestant and Catholic presenceLDS (Mormon) majority, with other Christian denominations
  • Montana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as an LDS (Mormon) majority with other Christian denominations
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a Protestant and Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Utah

ComparisonMontanaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana - Missoula
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana Tech - Butte
University of Utah - Salt Lake City
Brigham Young University - Provo
Utah State University - Logan
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHawthorne Elementary - Bozeman
Chief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman
Rattlesnake Elementary - Missoula
Edgemont Elementary School - Provo
Canyon Crest Elementary - Provo
Avenues Elementary - Salt Lake City
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSacajawea Middle School - Bozeman
Washington Middle School - Missoula
Lewis and Clark Middle School - Billings
Foothill Elementary School - Orem
Centennial Middle School - Provo
Indian Hills Elementary School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 High School SchoolsBozeman High School - Bozeman
Helena High School - Helena
Billings Senior High - Billings
Timpview High School - Provo
Alta High School - Sandy
East High School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 private high schoolsBillings Central Catholic High School - Billings
Loyola Sacred Heart High School - Missoula
Missoula International School - Missoula
Rowland Hall - Salt Lake City
Waterford School - Sandy
Juan Diego Catholic High School - Draper
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPetra Academy - Bozeman
The Missoula International School - Missoula
Valley Christian School - Missoula
The Waterford School - Sandy
Juan Diego Catholic High School - Draper
Rowland Hall - Salt Lake City
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman Public Schools - Bozeman
Billings Public Schools - Billings
Missoula County Public Schools - Missoula
Alpine School District - American Fork
Davis School District - Farmington
Salt Lake City School District - Salt Lake City

How Much Do Montana to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 742 miles from Montana to Utah will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: 801 Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,623300 ft3$5.41
1 Bedroom$2,412450 ft3$5.36
2 Bedrooms$3,983750 ft3$5.31
3 Bedrooms$5,7871100 ft3$5.26
4 Bedrooms$8,3371600 ft3$5.21
5+ Bedrooms$9,2891800 ft3$5.16

Top Montana to Utah Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana 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 Montana 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
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
Top Montana to Utah Routes

Billings to Utah