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Virginia to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 2,036 mile interstate move from Virginia to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dense traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab vs Utah Scones), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab and Virginia Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Utah Scones & Funeral Potatoes with Ham
  • Utah housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Utah is 7.99% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Utah will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Utah movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Utah

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Dense traffic
  • Humid summers
  • High cost of living
  • Frequent hurricanes
  • Limited skiing
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Less congestion
  • Dry climate
  • Lower expenses
  • Rare severe weather
  • World-class skiing

Utah iconUtah
  • Less historical sites
  • Landlocked
  • Fewer urban areas
  • Less greenery
  • Cold winters
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Close to coast
  • Diverse cities
  • Seasonal foliage
  • Warm winters

Pros of moving from Virginia to Utah

  • Say goodbye to dense traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from humid summers and moving to Utah with a dry climate
  • Swap the high cost of living in Virginia for lower expenses in Utah
  • Get ready for rare severe weather in Utah

Cons of moving from Virginia to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of being close to the coast and have to settle for the con of being landlocked
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse cities and get used to fewer urban areas in Utah
  • Swap seasonal foliage for less greenery

Virginia vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
Most iconic local food itemChesapeake Bay Blue CrabUtah Scones
Most popular meat dishVirginia HamFuneral Potatoes with Ham
Most popular street food itemSoft Shell Crab SandwichFry Sauce with French Fries
Most popular vegan foodVegetarian Chesapeake Bay StewAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Shack
  • Lemaire
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Red Iguana
  • HSL
  • Log Haven
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 Virginia to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab of Virginia for the equally delicious Utah Scones of Utah. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Virginia Ham and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Utah residents know they have tasty Funeral Potatoes with Ham and Fry Sauce with French Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chesapeake Bay Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Shack, Lemaire, and The Inn at Little Washington. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, HSL, and Log Haven.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Utah

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodCraftsman, Ranch
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 listingHardwood floors, Historic charmMountain views, Open floor plans
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and historic charm, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open floor plans.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Utah is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Utah is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Utah housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Utah is 7.99% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
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 DisastersHurricanes, floodsEarthquakes, wildfires
Air QualityGood to moderateVariable, often impacted by wildfires
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86Β°F / 66Β°F90Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F37Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"20"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10-20"56"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Utah. Utah gets 16% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 4 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Utah are 9 degrees colder than those in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 24 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Utah

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
Avg. Household Income$85,873$89,168
Cost of Living Index96.695.75
State Income Tax5.75%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.66%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%6.1%
Top 3 IndustriesAerospace, Military, FarmingTechnology, Tourism, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateGrowing
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessStableIncreasing
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 4% more than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Utah is 1% lower than what you are used to in Virginia
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.95% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Utah is growing compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is stable in Virginia and increasing in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Utah

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
Political Make-upSwing StateConservative
Local PoliticsVaries regionallyPredominantly conservative
ReligionMixed, with no single majorityDominantly LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
  • Virginia tends to lean swing state in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as dominantly LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with no single majority

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Utah

ComparisonVirginiaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School
Stenwood Elementary
Westbriar Elementary
Edgemont Elementary
Canyon View Elementary
Parkview Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School
Frost Middle School
Kilmer Middle School
Foothill Middle School
Mountain Ridge Junior High
Timberline Middle School
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
McLean High School
Langley High School
Academy for Math
Engineering & Science
International Baccalaureate Program at West High School
Northern Utah Academy for Math
Engineering & Science
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School
The Madeira School
Episcopal High School
Rowland Hall
Waterford School
The Madeleine Choir School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School
The Potomac School
Norfolk Academy
Rowland Hall
Waterford School
Layton Christian Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Park City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do Virginia to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 2,036 miles from Virginia to Utah 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 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,357300 ft3$7.86
1 Bedroom$3,513450 ft3$7.81
2 Bedrooms$5,817750 ft3$7.76
3 Bedrooms$8,4761100 ft3$7.71
4 Bedrooms$12,2491600 ft3$7.66
5+ Bedrooms$13,6901800 ft3$7.61

Top Virginia to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Utah

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details

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