Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Peoria, AZ
A move from Salt Lake City, UT to Peoria, AZ covers 654 mi and around 12h 16m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
654 mi · 12h 16m by car · UT → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 89, I 15, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Peoria | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Salt Lake City (100.868) and Peoria (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Peoria ZHVI at $488,596 is 2.4% below Salt Lake City at $573,181.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 9.6" |
Peoria runs 14.4°F warmer on the annual average (55.8°F vs 70.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 33 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Peoria is 2.4% above Salt Lake City ($74,925 vs $93,403, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria 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 — 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.4°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 does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 24.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria 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.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 654 mi and the route typically takes 12h 16m 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 Peoria compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria 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.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 654 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (14.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 17.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 14.8% 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 · Peoria, AZ.