Key factors that impact the cost of your Memphis to Salt Lake City move
What to know before moving from Memphis to Salt Lake City
Moving from Memphis to Salt Lake City comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Salt Lake City is generally more expensive than Memphis, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Memphis | Salt Lake City | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,299 | $1,495 |
Average home value | $143,715 | $549,528 |
Average income (per capita) | $48,090 | $63,975 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,842 | $2,172 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,402 | $4,827 |
Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 3.0% |
Sales tax | 9.75% | 7.75% |
State income tax | 0.0% | 4.95% |
- Rent prices in Salt Lake City are 15% higher than in Memphis, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Memphis.
Home prices in Salt Lake City are 282.4% higher than in Memphis. - Income in Salt Lake City is 33.0% higher than in Memphis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Salt Lake City include Intermountain Healthcare, Alsco, and EnerBank USA.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Salt Lake City, since the cost of living for a single person in Salt Lake City is 17.9% higher than in Memphis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Salt Lake City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Salt Lake City is 9.7% higher than in Memphis.
- The unemployment rate in Salt Lake City is 62.50% lower than in Memphis.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Salt Lake City, since the cityโs sales taxes in Salt Lake City are 20.51% lower than in Memphis.
- State income taxes in Salt Lake City are 4.95% higher than in Memphis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,537.46 in Salt Lake City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Memphis.
How life is different in Memphis vs. Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City | Memphis | |
---|---|---|
Population | 200,133 | 633,104 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 4 |
Walkability score | 59 | 35 |
Bike friendliness score | 74 | 41 |
Crime Index | 34.64 | 77.49 |
Safety Index | 65.36 | 22.51 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Salt Lake City might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Memphis.
- Salt Lake City offers better access to buses and trains than Memphis, based on public transportation ratings. Salt Lake City has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Memphis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Salt Lake City means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Memphis. Salt Lake City is considered more walkable than Memphis, with a score of 59 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Memphis. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Salt Lake City is considered more bike-friendly than Memphis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Salt Lake City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 out of 100, while Memphis is rated as 41 out of 100.
- Salt Lake City has a lower crime rate than Memphis based on scores of 34.64 and Memphis's 77.49, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Salt Lake City than in Memphis, based on Salt Lake Cityโs safety index of 65.36 versus 22.51 for Memphis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Salt Lake City and Memphis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Memphis vs. Salt Lake City move
- Weather: June, September and May are the most pleasant months in Salt Lake City, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- 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 youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Utah, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Utah doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Salt Lake City without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Salt Lake City
With your sights set on "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
Best neighborhoods for families
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Sugar House
- Yalecrest
Things to do in Salt Lake City
Once youโre settled into your new home in Utah, itโs time to get out and discover what Salt Lake City has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Salt Lake City features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, Clark Planetarium, Wheeler Historic Farm, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and Land Cruiser Heritage Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Big Cottonwood Canyon, Red Butte Garden, Temple Square, and Liberty Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League), Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Utes (Pac-12), or Westminster Griffins (RMAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Salt Lake City?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Memphis to Salt Lake City are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Memphis are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Memphis to Salt Lake City?
With many people choosing to move from Memphis to Salt Lake City in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Memphis to Salt Lake City take?
Moving from Memphis, TN to Salt Lake City, UT covers 1,525 miles and usually takes four to 15 days. Need to move faster? Some Memphis movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Salt Lake City.