Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Provo, UT
It is 2030 mi and 36h 48m from Winston-Salem to Provo β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2030 mi Β· 36h 48m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Evansville, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above Winston-Salem β 92.043 β 98.232 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 17.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.9 in of snowfall annually at Provo.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.7% higher in Provo than Winston-Salem.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Provo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,750 | $38,840 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,860 | $36,930 |
| Management Occupations | 24,030 | $105,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,860 | $29,550 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,880 | $63,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina 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 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 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
- Winter gear first: Provo averages 44.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95Β°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
Is Provo more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 6.7% higher than Winston-Salem (98.232 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 83.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 8.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Provo, UT from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 2030 mi and the route typically takes 36h 48m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Provo compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2030 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Provo, UT.