Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to St. Louis, MO
It is 1323 mi between Salt Lake City and St. Louis β roughly 23h 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.
1323 mi Β· 23h 8m by car Β· MO β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 40, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has St. Louis at 95.088 vs Salt Lake City at 100.868.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 43.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8Β°F) and St. Louis (58.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 5.7% less than Salt Lake City at the median β $74,925 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is St. Louis more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 5.7% lower than Salt Lake City (95.088 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1323 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1323 mi and the route typically takes 23h 8m via I 80 and US 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 26.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· St. Louis, MO.