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Utah to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 959 mile interstate move from Utah to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, dry summers vs cooler, coastal climate), food & health (like Jell-O vs Apple), real estate & housing (modern ranch, craftsman vs northwest contemporary, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Jell-O and Utah Scones, but get your taste buds ready for Apple & Salmon
  • Washington housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Utah
  • Rent in Washington is 17.07% more expensive than in Utah
  • Moving from Utah to Washington will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Utah to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

Utah to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Washington

ConsUtah iconUtah
  • Hot, dry summers
  • Limited public transit
  • Limited greenery
  • Conservative culture
  • Fewer tech jobs
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Cooler, coastal climate
  • Extensive transit options
  • Lush, green landscapes
  • Diverse culture
  • Tech industry hub

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher cost of living
  • Frequent rain
  • Fewer snowy areas
  • Crowded urban areas
  • Higher traffic congestion
Utah iconUtah
  • Low cost of living
  • Sunny weather
  • Winter sports
  • Vibrant festivals
  • Friendly locals

Pros of moving from Utah to Washington

  • Say goodbye to hot, dry summers and hello to a cooler, coastal climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Washington with extensive transit options
  • Swap the limited greenery of Utah for lush, green landscapes in Washington
  • Get ready for a diverse culture in Washington

Cons of moving from Utah to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Utah to live with a higher cost of living in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of sunny weather and have to settle for the con of frequent rain
  • Time to bid farewell to winter sports and get used to fewer snowy areas in Washington
  • Swap vibrant festivals for crowded urban areas

Utah vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonUtahWashington
Most iconic local food itemJell-OApple
Most popular meat dishUtah SconesSalmon
Most popular street food itemFry sauceSeattle Dog
Most popular vegan foodCauliflower WingsMushroom Bao
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Red Iguana
  • The Roof Restaurant
  • Hires Big H
  • Canlis
  • Pike Place Chowder
  • SkyCity Restaurant
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious apple of Washington. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah scones and sumptuous fry sauce, Washington residents know they have tasty salmon and Seattle dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the mushroom bao of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Red Iguana, The Roof Restaurant, and Hires Big H. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and SkyCity Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Washington

ComparisonUtahWashington
Typical Architecture StyleModern Ranch, CraftsmanNorthwest Contemporary, Craftsman
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 listingMountain views, spacious backyardsEnergy efficiency, proximity to nature
  • The Modern Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Northwest Contemporary and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and spacious backyards, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Utah.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Utah.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Utah.
  • Washington housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Utah’s $519,182.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
  • Rent in Washington is 17.07% more expensive than in Utah.

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

ComparisonUtahWashington
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 DisastersEarthquakes, wildfiresVolcanoes, earthquakes, mudslides
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F75Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 20Β°F47Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)16.538
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5625
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Washington. Washington gets 36% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
  • Washington 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 volcanoes, earthquakes, and mudslides in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 10 degrees colder than in Utah.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Utah.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Washington. Washington receives 21.5 more inches of rain compared to Utah.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Washington

ComparisonUtahWashington
Avg. Household Income$89,168$91,306
Cost of Living Index95.75104.1
State Income Tax4.95%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%0.93%
Avg. Sales Tax6.10%9.29%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Healthcare, EducationAerospace, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalSignificant
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 2% more than those in Utah
  • The COLI in Washington is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Utah
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Utah
  • The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to low in Utah
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Utah and significant in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Washington

ComparisonUtahWashington
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsUtah GovernmentWashington Government
ReligionLDS (Mormon) MajorityMore Diverse Religious Landscape
  • Utah tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as a more diverse religious landscape
  • Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as LDS (Mormon) majority

Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Washington

ComparisonUtahWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Elementary (Orem)
Oakridge Elementary (Salt Lake City)
North Star Elementary (Lehi)
Cascade K-8 Community School (Shoreline)
Bertschi School (Seattle)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsFoothill Middle School (Salt Lake City)
Lehi Junior High (Lehi)
Indian Hills Middle (Sandy)
International School (Bellevue)
Washington Middle School (Seattle)
Lakeside Middle School (Seattle)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademy for Math
Engineering
and Science (Salt Lake City)
Timpview High School (Provo)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
International School (Bellevue)
Top 3 private high schoolsRowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (Seattle)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaterford School (Sandy)
Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (Seattle)
Top 3 School DistrictsPark City School District
Davis School District
Alpine School District
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District

How Much Do Utah to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 959 miles from Utah to Washington 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,746300 ft3$5.82
1 Bedroom$2,597450 ft3$5.77
2 Bedrooms$4,290750 ft3$5.72
3 Bedrooms$6,2381100 ft3$5.67
4 Bedrooms$8,9931600 ft3$5.62
5+ Bedrooms$10,0271800 ft3$5.57

Top Utah to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Utah to Washington

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Utah to Washington Routes

Salt Lake City to Washington