Factors affecting the cost of moving from WV to UTtoggle

There are many factors that influence West Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 WV to UT

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

Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Utah

West Virginia Utah
Average rent cost $899 $1,302
Average home cost $168,172 $517,020
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $86,833
Cost of Living Index 90 0
Unemployment rate 4.2% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 7.19%
State Income Tax 6.5% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 45% more expensive in Utah than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 207% higher in Utah than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 57% higher in Utah than in West Virginia.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Utah than in West Virginia.
  • Utah has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 17%.
  • Sales taxes are 20% higher in Utah than in West Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 24% lower in Utah than in West Virginia.

How life is different in Utah vs. West Virginia

Utah West Virginia
Population 3,417,734 1,782,959
Political leaning Republican 60-40 Republican 69-30
Summer high 90ºF 83ºF
Winter low 17ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 15" 45"
Annual snow 43" 33"
Crime index 21.37 17.47
  • The population of Utah is approximately 92% greater than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Utah voted Republican and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Utah is 90ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Utah reaches the temperature of 17ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about 15 inches of annual rainfall in Utah versus 45 inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Utah, it snows about 43 inches annually versus 33 inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Utah has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 21.37 vs. 17.47.

Comparing the pros of West Virginia 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 West Virginia.

Pros of living in West Virginia Pros of living in Utah
Low cost of living Robust economic growth
Abundant outdoor activities Abundant outdoor activities
4 distinct seasons of weather Growing population
Immense natural beauty Outdoor paradise
Relaxed small cities and towns Diverse

Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia 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 West Virginia for Utah.

Cons of living in West Virginia Cons of living in Utah
Dismal economy Extreme weather
High rates of crime High cost of housing
High rates of drug abuse Peculiar liquor laws
Shrinking population Dangerous drivers
Lack of diversity Huge emphasis on religious identity

Other things to consider for your West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Utah?toggle

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

What are the benefits of moving from West Virginia to Utah?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from West Virginia 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 West Virginia or Utah?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Utah. Housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 31% less and home prices 68% lower than in Utah. However, taxes are lower in Utah, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by West Virginia 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