Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Cincinnati, OH
Cross-country relocations like Salt Lake City, UT β Cincinnati, OH cover 1653 mi and about 28h 46m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1653 mi Β· 28h 46m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 74, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.868 to 95.37, putting Cincinnati roughly 5.5% below Salt Lake City on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Cincinnati: 5.5% below Salt Lake City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 43.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 33 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.5% between Salt Lake City and Cincinnati (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1653 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 5.5% lower than Salt Lake City (95.37 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1653 mi and the route typically takes 28h 46m via I 80 and I 74. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 56.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Cincinnati, OH.