Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to UTtoggle

There are many factors that influence Pennsylvania moving costs. The cost to move from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 PA to UT

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

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Utah

Pennsylvania Utah
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,302
Average home cost $268,824 $517,020
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $86,833
Cost of Living Index 99 0
Unemployment rate 3.4% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 6.34% 7.19%
State Income Tax 3.07% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 17% more expensive in Utah than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 92% higher in Utah than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 19% higher in Utah than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Utah than in Pennsylvania.
  • Utah has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 3%.
  • Sales taxes are 13% higher in Utah than in Pennsylvania.
  • Income taxes are 61% higher in Utah than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Utah vs. Pennsylvania

Utah Pennsylvania
Population 3,417,734 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 60-40 Republican 51-49
Summer high 90ºF 83ºF
Winter low 17ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 15" 44"
Annual snow 43" 38"
Crime index 21.37 17.62
  • The population of Utah is approximately 74% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Utah voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Utah is 90ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Utah reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 15 inches of annual rainfall in Utah versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Utah, it snows about 43 inches annually versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Utah has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 21.37 vs. 17.62.

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in Utah
Low cost of living Robust economic growth
Abundant fun and recreational activities Abundant outdoor activities
Beautiful landscapes Growing population
Ample economic opportunity Outdoor paradise
Excellent education options Diverse

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for Utah.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in Utah
Harsh winter weather Extreme weather
Bad driving conditions High cost of housing
Nuclear power plants Peculiar liquor laws
Unpredictable weather Dangerous drivers
High taxes on gasoline Huge emphasis on religious identity

Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Utah?toggle

Hiring a full-service Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Utah separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania or Utah?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than in Utah. Housing is much more affordable in Pennsylvania, with average rent about 15% less and home prices 48% lower than in Utah. Taxes are also lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Utah 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