Moving from Independence, MO to Provo, UT
It is 1102 mi between Independence and Provo — roughly 19h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1102 mi · 19h 8m by car · MO → IA → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IA → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Olathe, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $208,158 to $484,203 moving to Provo.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 17.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Independence (54.0°F) and Provo (54.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Provo averages 44.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.35 |
Households in Provo earn about 6.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Provo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,750 | $38,840 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,860 | $36,930 |
| Management Occupations | 24,030 | $105,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,860 | $29,550 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,880 | $63,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Provo averages 44.9 in annually vs 13.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Provo, UT from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 1102 mi and the route typically takes 19h 8m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $59,480 in Independence — a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Provo more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 6.1% higher than Independence (98.232 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Provo compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Provo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.6°F in Provo vs 54.0°F in Independence (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.9 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.2 in vs 44.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Independence to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $208,158 in Independence — a 132.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Provo, UT.