Utah to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 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
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 | Conservative Majority | Moderate, Swing State |
Local Politics | Strong GOP Presence | Diverse Political Landscape |
Religion | Majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) | Religious Diversity |
- Utah tends to lean conservative majority in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a moderate swing state
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as religious diversity
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Utah | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Utah Utah State University Brigham Young University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Canyon View Elementary (Cottonwood Heights) Oakridge School (Farmington) Ensign Elementary School (Salt Lake City) | Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) Ad Prima Charter School (Philadelphia) Winchester Thurston School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Pine View Middle School (St. George) Indian Hills Middle School (Sandy) Centennial Middle School (Provo) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Corner Canyon High School (Draper) Skyline High School (Salt Lake City) Timpview High School (Provo) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City) | Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) |
Top 3 School Districts | Park City School District Davis School District Alpine School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Lower Merion School District Radnor Township School District |
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 |
Top Utah to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.