Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
VA to UT Relocation: Which Type of Person Actually Thrives
Swapping the rolling green hills of Virginia for the sweeping red rock landscapes of Utah is one of the more dramatic relocations you can make in the Lower 48. The East Coast charm, humid summers, and dense East Coast history of Virginia give way to arid desert air, outdoor adventure at every turn, and a Western way of life that operates on its own distinct rhythm. The cost of living picture shifts in some expected ways and a few surprising ones, and the cultural adjustment can catch even well traveled movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Ann) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you need to understand before you start loading the truck.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Could You Rent a Moving Truck from VA to Utah?
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-70 W and I-15 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Virginia to Utah.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Salt Lake City, UT
~2150 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Salt Lake City, UT
~2300 miles
Norfolk, VA → Provo, UT
~2300 miles
Roanoke, VA → Salt Lake City, UT
~2050 miles
Charlottesville, VA → St. George, UT
~2200 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah from Virginia 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.
How Much Can You Expect to Spend Moving from VA to Utah?
Moving 2,150 miles from Virginia to Utah 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.
That's the average.
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Who Thrives After Moving from VA to Utah?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird or PTA President, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Craft Beer Fan, Beach Bum, or Foodie, 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 Virginia to Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to UT
Snowbirds
Virginia
3.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete.
Utah
Gaining
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. GeorgeWashingtonHurricane
Virginia
3.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
PTA Life
Virginia
6.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Utah
Gaining
Corner Canyon games, Farmington fundraisers, endless bake sale glory.
Recommended UT cities/areas for PTA Presidents
DraperFarmingtonHighland
Virginia
6.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
The Veil haze, Hardywood barrels, Commonwealth pours.
Utah
Gaining
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Recommended UT cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Salt Lake CityOgdenMidvaleSt. George
Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
Beach Culture
Virginia
4
/10
Utah
3
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades.
Utah
Gaining
Sunny days abound, but Great Salt Lake is not Maui.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Beach Bums
St. GeorgeGarden CityHurricane
Virginia
4
/10
Utah
3
/10
Foodies
Virginia
9
/10
Utah
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
The Roosevelt, Doumar's cones, Eden Center pho crawl.
Utah
Gaining
Red Iguana mole, Takashi sushi, Hell's Backbone pilgrimages.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Foodies
Salt Lake CityPark CityBoulder
Virginia
9
/10
Utah
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Virginia and living in Utah
VirginiaUtah
From VA to Utah: How Your Plate Changes
Eating Like a Local in Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertEating 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 ExpertUtah looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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VA vs Utah: The Tax Overview
Virginia
Utah
VirginiavsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Moving from VA to Utah: The People, Politics, & Religion Difference
Virginia
Utah
VirginiavsUtah
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
The Climate Change Between VA and Utah
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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on it.
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Virginia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
