Utah to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 2,022 mile interstate move from Utah to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dry climate vs more seasonal rainfall), food & health (like Jell-O vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Jell-O and Utah Scone with Honey Butter, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Hot Sausage
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Utah
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 11.89% more affordable than in Utah
- Moving from Utah to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Utah to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving

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

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Utah to Pennsylvania

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

801 Moving Company
Utah to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Pennsylvania
- Dry climate
- High elevation
- Remote areas
- Sparse greenery
- Cultural homogeneity
- More seasonal rainfall
- Lower altitude
- Urban conveniences
- Lush landscapes
- Diverse communities
- Limited national parks
- Higher crime in cities
- Higher cost of living
- Congested urban centers
- Transient populations
- Stunning national parks
- Low crime rates
- Low cost of living
- Family-friendly towns
- Strong community ties
Pros of moving from Utah to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to dry climate and hello to more seasonal rainfall
- Look forward to moving away from high elevation and moving to Pennsylvania with lower altitude
- Swap the remote areas of Utah for urban conveniences in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for lush landscapes in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Utah to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning national parks in Utah to live with limited national parks in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime in cities
- Time to bid farewell to low cost of living and get used to higher cost of living in Pennsylvania
- Swap family-friendly towns for congested urban centers
Utah vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Jell-O | Philly Cheesesteak |
| Most popular meat dish | Utah Scone with Honey Butter | Pittsburgh Hot Sausage |
| Most popular street food item | Fry Sauce with Fries | Soft Pretzel |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
| 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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah Scone with Honey Butter and sumptuous Fry Sauce with Fries, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Hot Sausage and Soft Pretzel 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 Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Hire's Big H, Crown Burgers, and Red Iguana. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Primanti Bros.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Utah. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Utah. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Pennsylvania
| Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | Colonial and Victorian |
| Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
| Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
| Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, open floor plans | Historic charm, proximity to parks |
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Utah.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Utah.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Utah.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Utahβs $519,182.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 11.89% more affordable than in Utah.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Utah and Pennsylvania
| Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Snowstorms |
| Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
| Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
| Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 20Β°F | 40Β°F / 21Β°F |
| Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 42" |
| Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56" | 38" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
- Pennsylvania 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 snowstorms in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is the same as Utah.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Utah.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Utah.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Pennsylvania
| Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $71,798 |
| Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 99.7 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 3.07% |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.63% | 1.58% |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 6.1% | 6% |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Mining | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Finance |
| Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
| Poverty | Low | Moderate |
| Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 19% less than those in Utah
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Utah
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 4.95% in UT
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is varied compared to moderate affluence in Utah
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in Utah
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Utah and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Pennsylvania
| Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Reliably conservative statewide; Republicans dominate most statewide offices and the legislature. Urban Salt Lake City/County lean more Democratic; suburban and rural areas are strongly Republican. | Highly competitive swing state; Democrats dominate in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and many inner suburbs, while Republicans are strong in rural and some exurban counties. Statewide results are often close. |
| Local Politics | Many municipal races are nonpartisan. Policy focus on growth management, water and air quality, transportation, and public lands. Generally business-friendly regulations and taxes; alcohol policy is more restrictive. Most county governments lean Republican. | Local government spans counties, townships, boroughs, and cities. Property taxes heavily fund schools. Key issues include infrastructure, public education, public safety, opioids, and energy (Marcellus Shale). Urban areas tend to adopt more progressive policies; rural boards are more conservative. |
| Religion | Large presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which influences community life and norms. Also includes other Christian denominations and a growing unaffiliated population; participation rates are comparatively high. | Religiously diverse: significant Catholic population alongside large mainline and evangelical Protestant communities; notable Amish and Mennonite presence (e.g., Lancaster). Jewish and Muslim communities in metro areas; a sizable unaffiliated population. |
- Utah tends to lean reliably conservative in its political climate; Republicans dominate most statewide offices and the legislature. Urban Salt Lake City/County leans more Democratic and suburban and rural areas are strongly Republican.
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a highly competitive swing state; Democrats dominate in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and many inner suburbs, while Republicans are strong in rural and some exurban counties. Statewide results are often close.
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a significant Catholic population alongside large mainline and evangelical Protestant communities, as well as a notable Amish and Mennonite presence, such as in Lancaster. There are Jewish and Muslim communities in metro areas and a sizable unaffiliated population.
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a large presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which influences community life and norms. It also includes other Christian denominations and a growing unaffiliated population with comparatively high participation rates.
How Much Do Utah to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 2,022 miles from Utah to Pennsylvania 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,349 | 300 ft3 | $7.83 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,501 | 450 ft3 | $7.78 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $5,797 | 750 ft3 | $7.73 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $8,447 | 1100 ft3 | $7.68 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $12,207 | 1600 ft3 | $7.63 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $13,643 | 1800 ft3 | $7.58 |


