Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Richmond, VA
Cross-country relocations like Salt Lake City, UT → Richmond, VA cover 2145 mi and about 38h 20m of driving through 9 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.
2145 mi · 38h 20m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond and Salt Lake City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 3.0% below Salt Lake City — $573,181 vs $369,646 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8°F) and Richmond (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 33 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.23 |
Income steps down 3.0%: $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $62,671 in Richmond.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Richmond more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 3.0% lower than Salt Lake City (97.858 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 17.7 in.
How far is Richmond, VA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 2145 mi and the route typically takes 38h 20m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 16.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 35.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 647,440 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 Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2145 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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 · Richmond, VA.