Bakersfield, CA to Salt Lake City, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City typically costs $2,500–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 704 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Salt Lake City, UT typically costs $2,500–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 704-mile move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 23, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $2,604 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $536 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a rental truck.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $4,520 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Mar 05, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 22, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 03, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 28, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 21, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 09, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 27, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City may only cost $1,700, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $8,700.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Bakersfield.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($600–$1,600), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Best Bakersfield to Salt Lake City movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→UT movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 372 California moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City
Many movers find Salt Lake City easier on the wallet than Bakersfield - roughly 13% less for singles and 30% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,172 for one person in Salt Lake City versus $2,493 in Bakersfield. For a family of four, it's $4,827 compared with $6,940.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Bakersfield | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,850 | $1,618 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $2,727 |
| Average home value | $389,732 | $549,528 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $63,975 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,493 | $2,172 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,940 | $4,827 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 12% less expensive in Salt Lake City than in Bakersfield, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 41% steeper in Salt Lake City compared to Bakersfield.
- You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 13% less in Salt Lake City than in Bakersfield.
- Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Salt Lake City. The cost of living for a single person there is 13% below that of Bakersfield.
- A move to Salt Lake City can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 30% lower compared to Bakersfield.
- Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate than Bakersfield by about 49%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes are 6% cheaper in Salt Lake City compared to Bakersfield. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 63% less in Utah compared to California, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Bakersfield versus Salt Lake City:
| Living Expense | Bakersfield | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $340.00 | $183.16 |
| Cell phone plan | $53.67 | $67.42 |
| Dozen eggs | $2.95 | $4.28 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.81 | $3.36 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $67.50 | $82.50 |
| Gym membership | $36.50 | $27.89 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- Eggs are less expensive in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- Bread is more expensive in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
- Gym memberships cost more in Bakersfield than in Salt Lake City.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Salt Lake City
| Bakersfield | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 909,235 | 200,133 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 37 | 59 |
| Bike friendliness score | 44 | 74 |
| Crime index | 58.49 | 34.64 |
| Safety index | 41.51 | 65.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Salt Lake City's population is about 78% less than Bakersfield.
- Salt Lake City's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Bakersfield's score of 4.
- Salt Lake City is more walkable than Bakersfield with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Bakersfield's 37 out of 100.
- With a score of 74 out of 100, Salt Lake City is more bike-friendly than Bakersfield, which has a score of 44 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Salt Lake City's crime rate is lower than Bakersfield with a score of 34.64 compared to Bakersfield's 58.49. This means that Salt Lake City neighborhoods are safer than 34.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Bakersfield neighborhoods are safer than 58.49%.
- Salt Lake City is considered to be safer than Bakersfield with a safety index of 65.36 vs Bakersfield's 41.51.
- Air quality in Salt Lake City is Good, and in Bakersfield it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield to Salt Lake City move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Utah, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Utah, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Utah, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Salt Lake City. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. In Utah, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. To increase protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Salt Lake City
With your sights set on The Crossroads of the West, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Salt Lake City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Capitol Hill
- Central City
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Sugar House
- Wasatch Hollow
- Yalecrest
Best neighborhoods for families
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Sugar House
- Yalecrest
Things to do in Salt Lake City
With your move to Utah complete, you can dive right into experiencing Salt Lake City. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Salt Lake City is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Natural History Museum of Utah, Clark Planetarium, Wheeler Historic Farm, and Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Big Cottonwood Canyon, Red Butte Garden, Temple Square, and Liberty Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League)Utah Jazz (NBA)Utah Utes (Pac-12)Westminster Griffins (RMAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Bakersfield.
When is the cheapest time to move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City?
Want to save on your move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City take?
The 704-mile move from Bakersfield, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT, takes one to six days. Some Bakersfield movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Salt Lake City.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Bakersfield?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 2 movers in Bakersfield provide piano moving services. 1 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,294 and 1,462.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
