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Pennsylvania to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 2,022 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Fry Sauce), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs modern, ranch-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pittsburgh-style Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fry Sauce & Utah Scones
  • Utah housing costs are 99% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in Utah is 13.49% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
  • Moving from Pennsylvania to Utah will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Utah movers is Pittsburgh Moving

Pennsylvania to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Utah

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Cold winters
  • High taxes
  • Heavy traffic
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Less congestion
  • More affordable living
  • Spacious surroundings

Utah iconUtah
  • Dry climate
  • Sparse historical sites
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Arid landscapes
  • Fewer educational options
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Plentiful rain
  • Rich history
  • Diverse culture
  • Varied landscapes
  • Renowned universities

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Utah

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Utah with lower taxes
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Pennsylvania for less congestion in Utah
  • Get ready for more affordable living in Utah

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from plentiful rain in Pennsylvania to live with a dry climate in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of sparse historical sites
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Utah
  • Swap varied landscapes for arid landscapes

Pennsylvania vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakFry Sauce
Most popular meat dishPittsburgh-style SteakUtah Scones
Most popular street food itemPretzelsNavajo Taco
Most popular vegan foodMushroom ToastVegan Burrito
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Zahav
  • Primanti Bros.
  • Red Iguana
  • HSL
  • Log Haven
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 Pennsylvania to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Fry Sauce of Utah. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh-style Steak and sumptuous Pretzels, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones and Navajo Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burrito of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, HSL, and Log Haven.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Utah

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianModern, Ranch-style
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 listingHardwood floors, private backyardsEnergy efficiency, mountain views
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Ranch-style architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and private backyards, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and mountain views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Utah is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • Utah has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • Utah housing costs are 99% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
  • Rent in Utah is 13.49% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.

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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
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 DisastersFloods, SnowstormsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityModerateVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6290/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)33/1937/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4220
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3856
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Utah. Utah gets 33% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Utah

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
Avg. Household Income$71,798$89,168
Cost of Living Index99.795.75
State Income Tax3.07%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax1.58%0.58%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, EducationTechnology, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateGrowing
PovertyModerateLower
HomelessnessStableIncreasing
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 24% more than in Pennsylvania
  • The COLI in Utah is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.95% compared to 3.07% in PA
  • The affluence in Utah is growing compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
  • The poverty level is lower in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
  • In terms of homelessness, it is stable in Pennsylvania and increasing in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Utah

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
Political Make-upBattleground state with mix of Democratic and RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse, ranging from liberal urban centers to conservative rural areasPredominantly conservative, especially outside Salt Lake City
ReligionDiverse religious landscape, with a significant Catholic populationLargely influenced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean as a battleground state with a mix of Democratic and Republican in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as largely influenced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape with a significant Catholic population

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Utah

ComparisonPennsylvaniaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Penn State University
University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMarshall Elementary (Pittsburgh)
Bradford Heights Elementary (Downingtown)
Whitemarsh Elementary (Conshohocken)
Dilworth Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Canyon View Elementary (Cedar City)
Oakridge Elementary (Farmington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHaverford Middle (Havertown)
Radnor Middle (Radnor)
Fort Couch Middle (Pittsburgh)
Timpanogos Middle (Heber City)
Centennial Middle (Provo)
South Jordan Middle (South Jordan)
Top 3 High SchoolsConestoga High (Berwyn)
Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia)
North Allegheny High (Wexford)
Corner Canyon High (Draper)
Skyline High (Salt Lake City)
Timpview High (Provo)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Haverford School (Haverford)
Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh)
Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr)
The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr)
Friends' Central School (Wynnewood)
The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Layton Christian Academy (Layton)
Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 School DistrictsTredyffrin-Easttown School District
Radnor Township School District
Lower Merion School District
Park City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do Pennsylvania to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 2,022 miles from Pennsylvania to Utah will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,349300 ft3$7.83
1 Bedroom$3,501450 ft3$7.78
2 Bedrooms$5,797750 ft3$7.73
3 Bedrooms$8,4471100 ft3$7.68
4 Bedrooms$12,2071600 ft3$7.63
5+ Bedrooms$13,6431800 ft3$7.58

Top Pennsylvania to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Utah

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC featured image

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details