Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Gilbert, AZ
It is 695 mi between Salt Lake City and Gilbert β roughly 13h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
695 mi Β· 13h 2m by car Β· AZ β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 89, I 15, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Goodyear, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Salt Lake City to Gilbert β $573,181 vs $572,507 (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.96 |
Gilbert households earn about 2.4% more than Salt Lake City at the median β $74,925 β $121,351 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gilbert average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Gilbert, AZ from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 695 mi and the route typically takes 13h 2m via US 89 and I 15. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Gilbert compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 0.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 62.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 695 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Gilbert more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gilbert is 2.4% higher than Salt Lake City (103.316 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Gilbert, AZ.