Utah to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,412 mile interstate move from Utah to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Jell-O vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs victorian and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Jell-O and Utah Scones, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Utah
- Rent in Arkansas is 21.85% more affordable than in Utah
- Moving from Utah to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Utah to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Utah to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Winter snowstorms
- Limited greenery
- Higher elevation
- Desert climate
- Affordable housing
- Mild winters
- Lush landscapes
- Lower elevation
- Varied precipitation
- Higher crime rates
- Limited job market
- Fewer mountains
- Humid summers
- More rainfall
- Safe communities
- Strong economy
- Outdoor activities
- Low humidity
- Dry climate
Pros of moving from Utah to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from winter snowstorms and moving to Arkansas with mild winters
- Swap the limited greenery of Utah for lush landscapes in Arkansas
- Get ready for lower elevation in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Utah to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from safe communities in Utah to live with higher crime rates in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a strong economy and have to settle with the con of a limited job market
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to fewer mountains in Arkansas
- Swap low humidity for humid summers
Utah vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Jell-O | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Utah Scones | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Street Tacos | Cheese Dip |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Buddha Bowl | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Utah to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah Scones and sumptuous Street Tacos, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Cheese Dip to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Buddha Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Handle, Red Iguana, and Log Haven. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Sam's Original Restaurant and BBQ, and Southern Food Company.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Utah. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Utah. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Arkansas
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Craftsman | Victorian and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, proximity to national parks | Lakeside properties, spacious backyards |
- The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Ranch architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and proximity to national parks, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and spacious backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Utah.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Utah.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Utah.
- Arkansas housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Utahβs $519,182.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
- Rent in Arkansas is 21.85% more affordable than in Utah.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Utah and Arkansas
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 92Β°F/73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F/22Β°F | 51Β°F/32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Utah.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Utah, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 7 degrees warmer than in Utah.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Utah.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 30 more inches of rain compared to Utah.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Arkansas
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.95 | 5.9 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58 | 0.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.19 | 9.47 |
Top 3 Industries | Tech, Tourism, Mining | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 38% less than in Utah
- The COLI in Arkansas is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Utah
- The state income tax in AR is 5.9% compared to 4.95% in UT
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in Utah
- The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low poverty in Utah
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Utah and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative Majority | Conservative, with Liberal Pockets |
Local Politics | Dominated by the Republican Party | Mixed, with a slight Republican lean |
Religion | Largely Latter-day Saints | Primarily Protestant Christian |
- Utah tends to lean conservative majority in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with liberal pockets
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant Christian
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Latter-day Saints
Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Arkansas
Comparison | Utah | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Utah Brigham Young University Utah State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aveson Charter Schools (Salt Lake City) Canyon Rim Academy (Salt Lake City) Wasatch Elementary (Provo) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Jefferson Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Fort Herriman Middle School (Herriman) South Jordan Middle School (South Jordan) Centennial Middle School (Provo) | Lisa Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Pulaski Heights Middle School (Little Rock) Bentonville Middle School (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Salt Lake City) Itineris Early College High (West Jordan) Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Layton) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Salt Lake City) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City) Layton Christian Academy (Layton) | Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) The New School (Fayetteville) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 School Districts | Park City School District Davis School District Canyons School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville School District Little Rock School District |
How Much Do Utah to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,412 miles from Utah to Arkansas 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: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,003 | 300 ft3 | $6.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,982 | 450 ft3 | $6.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,932 | 750 ft3 | $6.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,179 | 1100 ft3 | $6.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,363 | 1600 ft3 | $6.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,568 | 1800 ft3 | $6.43 |
Top Utah to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.