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Utah to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 499 mile interstate move from Utah to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher housing costs vs more affordable real estate), food & health (like Jell-O vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs craftsman and modern farmhouse), 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 Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Finger Steaks
  • Idaho housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Utah
  • Rent in Idaho is 4.08% more affordable than in Utah
  • Moving from Utah to Idaho will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Utah to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

Utah to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Idaho

ConsUtah iconUtah
  • Higher housing costs
  • Traffic congestion
  • Urban sprawl
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • More affordable real estate
  • Easier commuting
  • Closer to nature

Idaho iconIdaho
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited tech opportunities
  • Fewer dining options
Utah iconUtah
  • Rich cultural life
  • Thriving tech hub
  • Vibrant cuisine scene

Pros of moving from Utah to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to higher housing costs and hello to more affordable real estate
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Idaho with easier commuting
  • Swap the urban sprawl of Utah for being closer to nature in Idaho

Cons of moving from Utah to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural life in Utah to live with fewer cultural events in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving tech hub and have to settle with the con of limited tech opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to a vibrant cuisine scene and get used to fewer dining options in Idaho

Utah vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonUtahIdaho
Most iconic local food itemJell-OIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishUtah SconesIdaho Finger Steaks
Most popular street food itemFry SauceBoise Fry Company Burgers
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Fork
  • State & Lemp
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 Utah to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah Scones and sumptuous Fry Sauce, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Finger Steaks and Boise Fry Company Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Ruth's Chris Steak House, Red Iguana, and Les Madeleines. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, Fork, and State & Lemp.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Idaho

ComparisonUtahIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleRanch and CraftsmanCraftsman and Modern Farmhouse
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 listingClose to outdoor recreationSpacious land and privacy
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference close to outdoor recreation, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land and privacy.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Idaho is less walkable than Utah.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Idaho is more bike-friendly than Utah.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than Utah.
  • Idaho housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Utah’s $519,182.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
  • Rent in Idaho is 4.08% more affordable than in Utah.

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

ComparisonUtahIdaho
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 DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresFloods, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F80Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 20Β°F34Β°F / 15Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2018
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5660
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Idaho. Idaho gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
  • Idaho has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Utah.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Utah, but be on the lookout for potential floods and wildfires in Idaho.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 5 degrees colder than in Utah.
  • The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Utah.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Utah.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Idaho

ComparisonUtahIdaho
Avg. Household Income$89,168$72,785
Cost of Living Index95.7591.5
State Income Tax4.95%6.93%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%0.69%
Avg. Sales Tax4.85%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, FinanceAgriculture, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 18% less than in Utah
  • The COLI in Idaho is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Utah
  • The state income tax in ID is 6.93% compared to 4.95% in UT
  • The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to moderate in Utah
  • The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to low in Utah
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Utah and moderate in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Idaho

ComparisonUtahIdaho
Political Make-upLean ConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsLocal government initiatives focus on economic development and environmental stewardshipLocal government emphasizes agricultural support and state rights
ReligionHigh LDS (Mormon) presenceMixed, with significant LDS and Christian communities
  • Utah tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as mixed, with significant LDS and Christian communities
  • Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a high LDS (Mormon) presence

Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Idaho

ComparisonUtahIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCanyon View Elementary
Oakridge Elementary
Park View Elementary
White Pine Elementary
Longfellow Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIndian Hills Middle
Pine View Middle
Centennial Middle
Lakes Magnet Middle
North Star Charter
Galileo STEM Academy
Top 3 High SchoolsCorner Canyon High
Skyline High
Davis High
Boise High
Coeur d'Alene High
Capital High
Top 3 private high schoolsRowland Hall
Waterford School
Juan Diego Catholic High School
Bishop Kelly High School
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy
The Ambrose School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRowland Hall
Waterford School
Madeleine Choir School
The Ambrose School
Riverstone International School
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsDavis School District
Jordan School District
Granite School District
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District

How Much Do Utah to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 499 miles from Utah to Idaho will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,485300 ft3$4.95
1 Bedroom$2,206450 ft3$4.90
2 Bedrooms$3,638750 ft3$4.85
3 Bedrooms$5,2811100 ft3$4.80
4 Bedrooms$7,6021600 ft3$4.75
5+ Bedrooms$8,4621800 ft3$4.70

Top Utah to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Utah to Idaho

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Utah to Idaho Routes

Salt Lake City to Idaho