Portland, OR to Salt Lake City, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Portland to Salt Lake City typically costs $3,000–$7,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 766 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Portland to Salt Lake City
Moving from Portland, OR to Salt Lake City, UT typically costs $3,000–$7,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 766-mile move from Portland to Salt Lake City, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,648 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,633 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,470 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Mar 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 26, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 08, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 01, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 30, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 21, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 09, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 17, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Portland to Salt Lake City
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,200, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $10,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Portland, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,600) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Portland, OR guide.
Best Portland to Salt Lake City movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Portland to Salt Lake City
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Portland to Salt Lake City, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
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 OR→UT movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 36 Oregon moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Portland to Salt Lake City
Many movers find Salt Lake City easier on the wallet than Portland - roughly 16% less for singles and 21% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,172 for one person in Salt Lake City versus $2,572 in Portland. For a family of four, it's $4,827 compared with $6,077.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Portland | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,825 | $1,618 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,410 | $2,727 |
| Average home value | $522,596 | $549,528 |
| Average income (per capita) | $85,876 | $63,975 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,572 | $2,172 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,077 | $4,827 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 3.0% |
| Sales tax | 0.0% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 9.9% | 4.95% |
- Budgeting for a move from Portland to Salt Lake City won't necessitate major adjustments since rent remains relatively constant.
- Given that home prices are within a 5% margin between Salt Lake City and Portland, sticking to your current mortgage strategy is sensible unless you’re planning for a bigger home.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 26% lower in Salt Lake City compared to Portland.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Salt Lake City. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 16% lower than in Portland.
- Choosing to move to Salt Lake City can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 21% less than in Portland.
- Salt Lake City enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 57% lower compared to Portland, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Salt Lake City has a sales tax, while Portland does not. That means you’ll pay more at checkout after your move, adding extra cost to everyday purchases.
- Income taxes are 50% less in Utah than in Oregon. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Portland and Salt Lake City:
| Living Expense | Portland | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $211.77 | $183.16 |
| Cell phone plan | $66.74 | $67.42 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.64 | $4.28 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.11 | $3.36 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $95.00 | $82.50 |
| Gym membership | $37.76 | $27.89 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- Eggs cost more in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- Bread is more expensive in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
- Gym memberships cost more in Portland than in Salt Lake City.
How life is different in Portland vs. Salt Lake City
| Portland | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 652,503 | 200,133 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 81 | 59 |
| Bike friendliness score | 92 | 74 |
| Crime index | 57.37 | 34.64 |
| Safety index | 42.63 | 65.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Salt Lake City's population is about 69% less than Portland.
- Salt Lake City's public transportation score is within about 5% of Portland, making them very similar.
- Salt Lake City is less walkable than Portland with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Portland's 81 out of 100.
- Salt Lake City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Portland, which has a score of 92.
- Salt Lake City's crime rate is lower than Portland with a score of 34.64 compared to Portland's 57.37. This means that Salt Lake City neighborhoods are safer than 34.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 57.37%.
- Salt Lake City is considered to be safer than Portland with a safety index of 65.36 vs Portland's 42.63.
- Air quality in Salt Lake City is Good, and in Portland it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to Salt Lake City move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Utah moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Utah doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Salt Lake City. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Salt Lake City
Now that you've decided to make the move to The Crossroads of the West, these are the best neighborhoods to move to 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
Once you're settled into your new home in Utah, it's time to get out and discover what Salt Lake City has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Salt Lake City, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites 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 Portland to Salt Lake City?
The best time to move from Portland to Salt Lake City is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Salt Lake City?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Portland to Salt Lake City, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Portland to Salt Lake City take?
Moving from Portland, OR to Salt Lake City, UT covers 766 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Portland movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Salt Lake City.
Which movers in Portland give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Portland?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 15 movers in Portland advertise piano moving expertise. 9 movers in Portland provide antique moving services. State totals show 27 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
