Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
Moving from UT to New York: Is It the Right Move for You?
Trading red rock canyons and wide open desert skies for the concrete grid of New York City is about as dramatic a lifestyle change as the continental United States can offer. Utah's spacious suburbs, low cost of living, and outdoor recreation culture feel like a world apart from the dense boroughs, sky high rents, and relentless pace that define life in the Empire State. The contrast goes deeper than geography, touching everything from your daily commute to your grocery bill to how much personal space you can reasonably expect on any given Tuesday. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Alexa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start stacking boxes.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Thinking about a DIY Move from Utah to New York?
Average distance
2,050miles
Typical route
I-80 E and I-76 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → New York City, NY
~2050 miles
Provo, UT → Buffalo, NY
~2000 miles
Ogden, UT → Albany, NY
~2050 miles
St. George, UT → Rochester, NY
~2150 miles
Logan, UT → Syracuse, NY
~2050 miles
Should You Move From Utah to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York from Utah is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
Demystifying the Cost of a Utah to New York Move
Moving 2,050 miles from Utah to New York will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Is Your Vibe Built for a Move from Utah to New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Coffee Snob, Craft Beer Fan, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, PTA President, or DIYer, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Utah to New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to NY
Coffee Culture
Utah
6
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Publik roasts, La Barba, and Blue Copper cuppings.
New York
Gaining
Third wave temples, Devocion to Joe Coffee pilgrimages
Recommended NY cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
WilliamsburgSoHoRochester
Utah
6
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Utah
6.5
/10
New York
8.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
New York
Gaining
Other Half lines, Resurgence flights, Citi Field sips
Recommended NY cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Utah
6.5
/10
New York
8.5
/10
Hipsters
Utah
7.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Randy's Records flips, Blue Copper pour overs, tiny galleries.
New York
Gaining
Vintage finds, rooftop sets, Rough Trade vinyl binges
Recommended NY cities/areas for Hipsters
WilliamsburgBushwickBeacon
Utah
7.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Snowbirds
Utah
8
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
New York
Gaining
Lovely summers, but lake effect and nor'easters chase you
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Long BeachBrighton BeachStaten Island
Utah
8
/10
New York
3.5
/10
PTA Life
Utah
8
/10
New York
5.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Corner Canyon games, Farmington fundraisers, endless bake sale glory.
New York
Gaining
Bake sales, PS 321 energy, Friday night lights
Recommended NY cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Great NeckRyePark Slope
Utah
8
/10
New York
5.5
/10
DIYers
Utah
7.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Craft Lake City festival, RC Willey runs, projects erupt.
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Makerspace, Industry City workshops, Troy revival fix ups
Recommended NY cities/areas for DIYers
Red HookGowanusTroy
Utah
7.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Utah and living in New York
UtahNew York
Utah to New York: A Local's Guide to Local Food
Eating Like a Local in Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertEating Like a Local in New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertWhat the Move to New York from Utah Looks Like for Your Tax Return
Utah
New York
UtahvsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
From Utah to New York: How Culture, Politics, & Faith Compare
Utah
New York
UtahvsNew York
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Climate in Utah vs New York: A Local's Real View
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Utah, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
