Factors affecting the cost of moving from MT to UTtoggle

There are many factors that influence Montana moving costs. The cost to move from Montana to Utah will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Montana is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from MT to UT

If you’re moving to Utah from Montana, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Montana vs. Utah

Montana Utah
Average rent cost $974 $1,302
Average home cost $462,631 $517,020
Average income (per capita) $66,341 $86,833
Cost of Living Index 100 0
Unemployment rate 3.3% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 0.0% 7.19%
State Income Tax 6.75% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 34% more expensive in Utah than in Montana.
  • Home prices are about 12% higher in Utah than in Montana.
  • The average income is about 31% higher in Utah than in Montana.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Utah than in Montana.
  • Utah has a higher unemployment rate than Montana by about 6%.
  • Sales taxes are 7% higher in Utah than in Montana.
  • Income taxes are 27% lower in Utah than in Montana.

How life is different in Utah vs. Montana

Utah Montana
Population 3,417,734 1,132,812
Political leaning Republican 60-40 Republican 58.4-38.5
Summer high 90ºF 84ºF
Winter low 17ºF 12ºF
Annual rain 15" 15"
Annual snow 43" 49"
Crime index 21.37 23.37
  • The population of Utah is approximately 202% greater than the population of Montana.
  • In the last presidential election, Utah voted Republican and Montana voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Utah is 90ºF and in Montana, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Utah reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Montana gets down to 12ºF.
  • You can expect about 15 inches of annual rainfall in Utah versus 15 inches of rainfall in Montana.
  • In Utah, it snows about 43 inches annually versus 49 inches of snow in Montana.
  • Utah has a lower crime rate than Montana with a crime index of 21.37 vs. 23.37.

Comparing the pros of Montana vs. Utah

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Utah compared to Montana.

Pros of living in Montana Pros of living in Utah
Unmatched natural beauty Robust economic growth
Bountiful outdoor opportunities Abundant outdoor activities
Ample economic opportunity Growing population
Delicious unique cuisine Outdoor paradise
No traffic Diverse

Comparing the cons of living in Montana vs. Utah

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Montana for Utah.

Cons of living in Montana Cons of living in Utah
Dangerous wildlife Extreme weather
Remote lifestyle High cost of housing
Touristy Peculiar liquor laws
Lacking in urban amenities Dangerous drivers
Challenging weather Huge emphasis on religious identity

Other things to consider for your Montana to Utah movetoggle

  • Weather: Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state. Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Utah moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Utah does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Utah. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Utahtoggle

While you’re in Utah, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Zion National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
  • Park City
  • Temple Square
  • Dinosaur National Monument
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Lake Powell
  • Dead Horse Point State Park
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
  • Great Salt Lake
  • Antelope Island
  • Natural Bridges National Monument
  • Bonneville Salt Flats
  • Golden Spike National Historic Site
  • Mirror Lake
  • Goblin Valley State Park
  • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Montana to Utah?toggle

Hiring a full-service Montana moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Montana to Utah?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Montana to Utah separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Montana to Utah?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Montana to Utah are the amazing upsides of living in Utah such as robust economic growth and abundant outdoor activities.

Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Utah?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Montana than in Utah. Housing is more affordable in Montana, with average rent about 25% less and home prices 11% lower than in Utah. However, taxes are lower in Utah, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Montana residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Utah?toggle

You should make approximately $61,242 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Utah. The cost of living in Utah is approximately $2,162 per month for an individual and $4,702 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Utah you live For example, larger cities like Salt Lake City and St. George will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources