Utah to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 543 mile interstate move from Utah to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Fry Sauce vs Sonoran Dog), real estate & housing (prairie, craftsman vs spanish colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fry Sauce and Utah Scones with Honey Butter, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Utah
- Rent in Arizona is 13.64% more expensive than in Utah
- Moving from Utah to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Utah to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Utah to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Arizona
- Cold winters
- High elevation
- Higher cost of living
- Less diverse culture
- State income tax
- Mild winters
- Lower elevation
- More affordable
- Rich cultural diversity
- No state income tax
- No snow activities
- Dry desert landscape
- Lower-ranked schools
- Higher crime rates
- Poor air quality
- Great skiing spots
- Beautiful fall colors
- Strong education system
- Safe neighborhoods
- Clean air quality
Pros of moving from Utah to Arizona
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high elevation and moving to Arizona with lower elevation
- Swap the higher cost of living of Utah for something more affordable in Arizona
- Get ready for rich cultural diversity in Arizona
Cons of moving from Utah to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great skiing spots in Utah to live with no snow activities in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful fall colors and have to settle for the con of a dry desert landscape
- Time to bid farewell to a strong education system and get used to lower-ranked schools in Arizona
- Swap safe neighborhoods for higher crime rates
Utah vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fry Sauce | Sonoran Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Utah Scones with Honey Butter | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Navajo Taco | Chimichangas |
Most popular vegan food | Zucchini Bread | Cactus Fries |
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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Fry Sauce of Utah for the equally delicious Sonoran Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah Scones with Honey Butter and sumptuous Navajo Taco, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Chimichangas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Zucchini Bread they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Cactus Fries of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Red Iguana, Slugger's, and High West Distillery. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzicletta, Bacanora, and El Charro Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Utah. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Utah. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Arizona
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Craftsman | Spanish Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Close to outdoor recreation | Golf course proximity, Swimming pools |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and proximity to outdoor recreation, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like golf course proximity and swimming pools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than Utah.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than Utah.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Utah.
- Arizona housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Utahβs $519,182.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
- Rent in Arizona is 13.64% more expensive than in Utah.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Utah and Arizona
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Earthquakes | Heatwaves, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 20Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Utah to Arizona. Arizona gets 26% more sunshine days than Utah.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Utah.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and earthquakes in Utah, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and wildfires in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in Utah.
- The average winter lows are 26 degrees warmer than they are in Utah.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Utah.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Arizona
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.85% | 2.59% - 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.19% | 8.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Mining, Finance | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Diverse |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 16% less than in Utah
- The COLI in Arizona will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Utah
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.50% compared to 4.85% in UT
- The affluence in Arizona is diverse compared to moderate affluence in Utah
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low in Utah
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Utah and noticeable in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Arizona
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-majority | Mixed, with a slight lean towards conservative |
Local Politics | Strong GOP presence | Diverse, with both Democratic and GOP strongholds |
Religion | Largely LDS (Mormon) | Mixed, with large Catholic and LDS communities |
- Utah tends to lean conservative-majority in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a slight lean towards conservative
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as mixed with large Catholic and LDS communities
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely LDS (Mormon)
Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Arizona
Comparison | Utah | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Utah Brigham Young University Utah State University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aveson Global Leadership Academy Alpine Academy Beehive Science & Technology Academy | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Basis Oro Valley |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Academy for Math Engineering & Science Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science Jefferson Academy | Basis Phoenix Basis Ahwatukee Basis Flagstaff |
Top 3 High Schools | Itineris Early College High Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science Academy for Math Engineering & Science | Basis Scottsdale Basis Chandler Basis Tucson North |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland Hall Waterford School The Madeleine Choir School | Brophy College Preparatory Xavier College Preparatory The Gregory School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waterford School Rowland Hall The Madeleine Choir School | Green Fields School Rancho Solano Preparatory School Phoenix Country Day School |
Top 3 School Districts | Park City School District Davis School District Canyons School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills School District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do Utah to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 543 miles from Utah to Arizona 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: 4-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,510 | 300 ft3 | $5.03 |
1 Bedroom | $2,243 | 450 ft3 | $4.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,701 | 750 ft3 | $4.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,373 | 1100 ft3 | $4.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,735 | 1600 ft3 | $4.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,612 | 1800 ft3 | $4.78 |
Top Utah to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Utah to Arizona