Utah to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

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
- Higher housing costs
- Traffic congestion
- Urban sprawl
- More affordable real estate
- Easier commuting
- Closer to nature
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited tech opportunities
- Fewer dining options
- 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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Jell-O | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Utah Scones | Idaho Finger Steaks |
Most popular street food item | Fry Sauce | Boise Fry Company Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Quinoa Salad |
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 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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Craftsman | Craftsman and Modern Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to outdoor recreation | Spacious 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 Utahβs $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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Floods, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 80Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 20Β°F | 34Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.95% | 6.93% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.85% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Finance | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Local government initiatives focus on economic development and environmental stewardship | Local government emphasizes agricultural support and state rights |
Religion | High LDS (Mormon) presence | Mixed, 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
Comparison | Utah | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Canyon View Elementary Oakridge Elementary Park View Elementary | White Pine Elementary Longfellow Elementary Ponderosa Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Indian Hills Middle Pine View Middle Centennial Middle | Lakes Magnet Middle North Star Charter Galileo STEM Academy |
Top 3 High Schools | Corner Canyon High Skyline High Davis High | Boise High Coeur d'Alene High Capital High |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland 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 schools | Rowland Hall Waterford School Madeleine Choir School | The Ambrose School Riverstone International School Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy |
Top 3 School Districts | Davis 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,485 | 300 ft3 | $4.95 |
1 Bedroom | $2,206 | 450 ft3 | $4.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,638 | 750 ft3 | $4.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,281 | 1100 ft3 | $4.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,602 | 1600 ft3 | $4.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,462 | 1800 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.