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Moving from Utah to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

UT state flag
Living now

Utah

Capital: Salt Lake City

Median household income $89,168 · winter low 22°F · 222 sunny days

Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Utah
98.9
Washington
107.0
Washington has 8.2% higher overall price level
Housing index
Utah
107.8
Washington
126.0
Washington has 17% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Utah
99.7
Washington
101.8
Washington has 2.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Washington
101.1
Washington has 1.2% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Utah
13.2 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 9.3% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Washington
101.4
Washington has 1.6% higher transportation
Median home value
Utah
$545,200
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 10% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Utah
$1,343/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 22% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Utah
93°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 15% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Utah
22°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 59% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Utah
49°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 1.2% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Utah
222
Washington
152
Washington has 32% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Utah
14 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 179% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Utah
46
Washington
39
Washington has 15% lower AQI
Snow / year
Utah
52 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 44% less annual snowfall

Get the full UtahWashington report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Washington than Utah?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.9 for Utah — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Utah tops out at 4.5% income tax. Washington tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Washington?

Most Washington residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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