Movers

Washington to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 960 mile interstate move from Washington to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Salmon vs Funeral Potatoes), real estate & housing (craftsman, contemporary vs ranch, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Pho, but get your taste buds ready for Funeral Potatoes & Green Jell-O with Carrots
  • Utah housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in Utah is 14.58% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to Utah will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Washington to Utah movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Utah

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • High cost of living
  • Rainy weather
  • Traffic congestion
  • Overcast skies
  • Expensive utilities
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Affordable housing
  • Sunny climate
  • Less crowded roads
  • Mountain views
  • Lower energy costs

Utah iconUtah
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited cuisine options
  • Fewer transit options
  • Drier landscapes
  • Far from big cities
Washington iconWashington
  • Rich culture
  • Diverse food scene
  • Excellent public transport
  • Green parks
  • Proximity to Seattle

Pros of moving from Washington to Utah

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from rainy weather and moving to Utah with a sunny climate
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Washington for less crowded roads in Utah
  • Get ready for mountain views in Utah

Cons of moving from Washington to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich culture in Washington to live with fewer cultural events in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse food scene and have to settle for the con of limited cuisine options
  • Time to bid farewell to excellent public transport and get used to fewer transit options in Utah
  • Swap green parks for drier landscapes

Washington vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
Most iconic local food itemSalmonFuneral Potatoes
Most popular meat dishPhoGreen Jell-O with Carrots
Most popular street food itemTacosFry Sauce
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Casserole
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Log Haven
  • HSL
  • Red Iguana
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 Washington to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Funeral Potatoes of Utah. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Pho and sumptuous Tacos, Utah residents know they have tasty Green Jell-O with Carrots and Fry Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Casserole of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Il Corvo. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Log Haven, HSL, and Red Iguana.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Utah

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, ContemporaryRanch, Modern
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 listingGreen Spaces, Proximity to WaterMountain Views, Spacious Yards
  • The Craftsman and Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Modern architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and proximity to water, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and spacious yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Utah is less walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Utah is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • Utah has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • Utah housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in Utah is 14.58% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
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 DisastersVolcanoes, EarthquakesEarthquakes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F / 55Β°F90Β°F / 68Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 37Β°F37Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3820
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5060
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Utah. Utah gets 46% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and floods in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 15 degrees warmer than Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Utah

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
Avg. Household Income$91,306$89,168
Cost of Living Index104.195.75
State Income Tax0%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax1.03%0.58%
Avg. Sales Tax8.92%7.19%
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Aerospace, AgricultureTech, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessSignificantLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 2% less than in Washington
  • The COLI in Utah will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to UT, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95%
  • The affluence in Utah is moderate compared to high in Washington
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Washington and lower in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Utah

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
Political Make-upDemocratically leaningRepublically leaning
Local PoliticsLiberal in urban areasConservative statewide
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedHighly affiliated, predominantly LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
  • Washington tends to lean democratically in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as republically leaning
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as highly affiliated and predominantly LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Utah

ComparisonWashingtonUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
University of Utah
Utah State University
Brigham Young University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Medina Elementary (Medina)
Edgemont Elementary School (Provo)
Ensign Elementary School (Salt Lake City)
Wasatch Elementary School (Provo)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Redmond Middle (Redmond)
Washington Middle (Seattle)
Centennial Middle (Provo)
Indian Hills Middle (Sandy)
Fairfield Junior High (Kaysville)
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Newport High (Bellevue)
Skyline High (Sammamish)
Academy for Math
Engineering & Science (Salt Lake City)
Itineris Early College High (West Jordan)
Northern Utah Academy for Math
Engineering & Science (Layton)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Overlake School (Redmond)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Waterford School (Sandy)
Juan Diego Catholic High School (Draper)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
The Waterford School (Sandy)
Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 School DistrictsLake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Issaquah School District
Park City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do Washington to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 960 miles from Washington to Utah 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$1,747300 ft3$5.82
1 Bedroom$2,598450 ft3$5.77
2 Bedrooms$4,292750 ft3$5.72
3 Bedrooms$6,2401100 ft3$5.67
4 Bedrooms$8,9961600 ft3$5.62
5+ Bedrooms$10,0301800 ft3$5.57

Top Washington to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to Utah

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 Washington to Utah Routes

Spokane to Utah

    Tacoma to Utah

      Vancouver to Utah