Moving to Utah: What You Need to Know

Thinking of moving to Utah? There are many factors you’ll need to consider before settling down in the Beehive State, from the current job market and real estate options to taxation and culture. Consult our full guide for more information on moving to this gorgeous state. Plus, find out how SMARTBOX can help you with the process!

What Are the Best Places to Move in Utah?

While Salt Lake City is the most popular city by far, there are still plenty of other ideal cities to call home in Utah.

• Salt Lake City - The capital city is the largest in Utah and boasts mild winters, scenic landscapes, a thriving economy, and plenty of employment opportunities. Salt Lake City also has one of the lowest average home prices for major markets in America.
• Ogden-Clearfield - Right along I-15, this region is excellent for raising kids and offers easy access to Salt Lake City. In addition, this town is home to several colleges, including Weber State University and Utah Valley University.
• Provo-Orem - This region is an excellent place for families. The city ranks highly, with low crime rates in the state and some of the best schools.
• St George - This city may be small, but it is vast in outdoor recreation opportunities and an excellent place for families. The only potential downside of living in St. George is the humid weather.
• Logan - This region gets quite cold during the winter, but summers are consistently pleasant. It's a fantastic place to raise a family and has one of the lowest living costs in Utah.

How Is the Job Market in Utah?

The state of Utah offers jobseekers plenty when it comes to employment opportunities. In the recent past, there's been a 1.8% increase in job opportunities. In addition, the median household income is $61,412, while the poverty rate hovers around 10.7%.

How Is the Utah Real Estate Market?

If you're considering moving to Utah, then now is a great time. Salt Lake City (and most of the state) experienced one of the lowest average home prices for significant markets in America during this year's real estate boom and bust. While cities like Las Vegas received quite a shock, Utah had an almost nonexistent drop in value.

The average price for an apartment in the major metro areas in Utah generally ranges from $600 to $1,200. Amenities and proximity to work are the most important factors when it comes to renting in Utah. Outdoor activities mean shorter commutes. Shorter commutes mean less traffic congestion and more time for fun!

There is high demand for good homes in Utah, which means that the market is still pretty affordable. On average, new houses added to the MLS system in Utah sell in less than two months. In addition, the average length of homes stay on the market is 36 days. Fortunately, many new home communities are getting constructed, creating more housing opportunities for families, couples, and single people!

Utah is a great place to move! But, if you're looking for an exciting place to live that offers mild winters, then look no further than Salt Lake City!

How Much Does It Cost to Live In Utah?

Utah is one of the most affordable states. The cost of living index is 93.3, while median incomes hover around $54,000. Of course, large cities like Salt Lake City will be more expensive than places like Logan or St. George, but overall, it is still an affordable place to live.

Is Utah a Good Place to Retire?

If you're planning to retire, then Utah may be the perfect place for you. The state has quite a few retirement communities, and over 21% of the population is above 65 years old. For this reason, it's among the top states in America regarding the proportion of retirees. Vacation homes are also available for purchase in many areas, and you can even purchase a home with an indoor seasonal pool.

What Are the People and Culture Like in Utah?

The main religion in Utah is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often abbreviated to LDS). This religion strongly affects social interactions and marriage, meaning that the marriage rate is higher than average.

Some of the Coolest Things to Do in Utah

Utah features some of the most breathtaking landscapes globally, and Salt Lake City makes for a perfect base camp. Some great places to visit are Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Bonneville Salt Flats, Arches National Park, and Monument Valley.

Utah Taxes

Residents of Utah only pay state income tax on money made within the state. There's no tax for money earned in other states, nor is there any capital gains tax or estate tax. There are also no gas taxes in the state and only a few other minor taxes. Overall, it has some of the lowest tax rates in the country.

How Do You Get Around in Utah?

Moving to Utah, you'll want to know how you're going to get from point A to B. Having a private car or vehicle is generally recommended, as it is cheaper to drive yourself places. But, of course, if you live in the city, it may be quicker and more convenient to call a taxi or rideshare service or use public transport such as TRAX, rail, or bus.

Utah Schools and Colleges

Utah schools are some of the best in America, with an excellent education system and outstanding school facilities. In addition, there are many good colleges to choose from, including Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University.

Salt Lake is home to numerous elementary, secondary, and high schools, including West High School, Bountiful Junior-Senior High School, and East High School.

Some of the private schools in Utah include:

• Newport Academy - Salt Lake City
• Provo Canyon School - Provo
• The Wyoming Seminary - Evanston
• Stansbury Park Academy - Ogden

These schools offer students excellent academic and sports programs. With a statewide graduation rate of 90%, Utah schools do offer a quality education.

Utah Employment and Workforce

With a population of 3 million, Utah has a robust and educated workforce with steady employment rates across all industries, including professional services, mining, public administration, manufacturing, and construction. Other leading industries include clean technology, high-tech manufacturing, and aerospace.

Most new residents can find both entry-level and higher-level employment opportunities in the workforce that is well educated and boasts excellent skills.

Some of the biggest companies in the state include:

• AT&T
• Clear Channel Communications
• Novell Inc.
• DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company

Utah Transportation Infrastructure and Logistics

The State has a robust transportation infrastructure, with interstate highways going through the capital city of Salt Lake and several national railroads connecting the State to other parts of the country.

Weather and Natural Disasters in Utah

Eighty-five percent of the State receives abundant rainfall each year. However, some areas experience snowfall over 200 inches, with occasional blizzards blowing through the state. Fortunately, Utah has escaped the most significant natural disasters, but quakes do occur from time to time. It is worth noting that the largest earthquake in recorded history was centered around the Great Salt Lake and caused damages above $1 million.

Utah Business Incentives

Several incentives encourage business growth in Utah, particularly for tech sector businesses. Tax credits and grants are available, and you can receive up to 30% of your research costs from the state government if you move to Utah.

Crime in Utah

Because of its low population and vast space, crime rates are relatively low in Utah. There are approximately 15 crimes per 1,000 people. Violent crime is much lower than the national average.

Tips for Moving to Utah

Moving to Utah should be a time of excitement, filled with new opportunities and experiences. First, however, you must begin your journey by finding out about the different costs of moving from coast to coast.

Housing - It's important to ask yourself whether you wish to rent or buy a home when moving to Utah. It’s worth looking into the cost of both and determining which will work best with your budget. Fortunately, there are many online portals and real estate resources to research available properties in Utah, including real estate agents, MLS listings, property aggregators, and real estate management companies.

Moving companies - Whether you're moving cross country or a state over, hiring a reputable moving company to transport your belongings to Utah is essential. Depending on the details of your contract, we can take care of everything from your initial packing and unpacking to moving trailer rentals.

Community resources - New residents of Utah can access a wealth of information via online community resources such as forums, reviews, and guides at their leisure. These are an invaluable resource for the vast majority of people moving to Utah who are not locals and want to make sure they're getting all they can get out of their new home.

If you're prepared to make a move to Utah, we hope this guide is helpful! Hire SMARTBOX for affordable local and long-distance moving as well as portable storage options. Get in touch with our experts today for a free quote!