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Utah to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 741 mile interstate move from Utah to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Jell-O vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs rustic and mountain), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Jell-O and Fry sauce with fries, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
  • Montana housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Utah
  • Rent in Montana is 16.32% more affordable than in Utah
  • Moving from Utah to Montana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Utah to Montana movers is 801 Moving Company

Utah to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Montana

ConsUtah iconUtah
  • High cost of living
  • Less outdoor space
  • Heavy traffic
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • More affordable housing
  • Vast open landscapes
  • Less congestion

Montana iconMontana
  • Fewer cultural festivals
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Fewer amenities
Utah iconUtah
  • Rich cultural events
  • Strong job market
  • Proximity to Ski Resorts

Pros of moving from Utah to Montana

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from less outdoor space and moving to Montana with vast open landscapes
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Utah for less congestion in Montana

Cons of moving from Utah to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural events in Utah to live with fewer cultural festivals in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a strong job market and have to settle for the con of limited job opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to the proximity to ski resorts and get used to fewer amenities in Montana

Utah vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonUtahMontana
Most iconic local food itemJell-OHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishFry sauce with friesBison Steak
Most popular street food itemNavajo TacoElk Burgers
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Montana Brewing Company
  • 2nd Street Bistro
  • Bozeman Chophouse
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Fry Sauce with fries and sumptuous Navajo Taco, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk 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 Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like The Roof Restaurant, The Pie Pizzeria, and Red Iguana. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Montana Brewing Company, 2nd Street Bistro, and Bozeman Chophouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Montana

ComparisonUtahMontana
Typical Architecture StyleModern and CraftsmanRustic and Mountain
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 listingSmart home features, energy efficiencyScenic views, proximity to nature
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Mountain architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference smart home features and energy efficiency, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Utah.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Utah.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Utah.
  • Montana housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Utah’s $519,182.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased 71% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
  • Rent in Montana is 16.32% more affordable than in Utah.

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

ComparisonUtahMontana
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 DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesWildfires, Severe Snowstorms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85-100Β°F / 55-70Β°F80-90Β°F / 50-60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30-50Β°F / 20-30Β°F28-35Β°F / 10-20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)20"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)54"90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Montana. Montana gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
  • Montana 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 wildfires and severe snowstorms in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than in Utah.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Utah.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Utah.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Montana

ComparisonUtahMontana
Avg. Household Income$89,168$67,631
Cost of Living Index95.7599.4
State Income Tax4.95%Variable, up to 6.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax4.85%0%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, EducationAgriculture, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessManageableEmerging
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 24% less than in Utah
  • The COLI in Montana is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Utah
  • The state income tax in MT is variable, up to 6.75% compared to 4.95% in UT
  • The affluence in Montana is varied compared to moderate in Utah
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to low in Utah
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Utah and emerging in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Montana

ComparisonUtahMontana
Political Make-upPrimarily RepublicanMixed, with a Republican lean
Local PoliticsConservative, with a strong focus on family valuesLibertarian and conservative mix, value independence
ReligionLargely LDS (Mormon)Christianity, less denomination-specific
  • Utah tends to lean primarily Republican in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a Republican lean
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as Christianity, less denomination-specific
  • Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely LDS (Mormon)

Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Montana

ComparisonUtahMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Utah
Utah State University
Brigham Young University
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCanyon Crest Elementary (Provo)
Oakridge Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Edgemont Elementary (Provo)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Bozeman)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsFoothill Middle School (Wendover)
Midvale Middle School (Midvale)
Centennial Middle School (Provo)
Bozeman Middle School (Bozeman)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
East Middle School (Great Falls)
Top 3 High SchoolsPark City High School (Park City)
Timpview High School (Provo)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsRowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLayton Christian Academy (Layton)
Saint John the Baptist (Draper)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Discovery School (Bozeman)
Susitna Valley High (Talkeetna)
Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman)
Top 3 School DistrictsPark City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District
Bozeman School District
Billings School District
Missoula County Public Schools

How Much Do Utah to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 741 miles from Utah to Montana 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$2,411450 ft3$5.36
2 Bedrooms$3,981750 ft3$5.31
3 Bedrooms$5,7841100 ft3$5.26
4 Bedrooms$8,3341600 ft3$5.21
5+ Bedrooms$9,2851800 ft3$5.16

Top Utah to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Utah to Montana

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
You Move Me Salt Lake City featured image

You Move Me Salt Lake City

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Utah to Montana Routes

Salt Lake City to Montana