Moving from Seattle, WA to Salt Lake City, UT
Relocating 827 mi from Seattle to Salt Lake City is a 14h 32m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
827 mi · 14h 32m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Salt Lake City at 100.868 vs Seattle at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $868,680 to $573,181 moving to Salt Lake City.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 17.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and Salt Lake City (55.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.2% — $121,984 → $74,925 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 38.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 34.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 53.2°F in Seattle (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 37.8 in.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 9.2% lower than Seattle (100.868 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 827 mi and the route typically takes 14h 32m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 827 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Salt Lake City, UT.