The United States has always been where people migrated from one section of the country to another. This is for personal, political, and economic reasons. This trend remains the same in 2023. In the past year, nearly 60,000 people moved into the Beehive State, according to the University of Utah. And according to Stacker, Texas is among the top 5 states where the citizens are leaving for Utah.
If you’re one of the men or women on the bandwagon, you should know what you’re getting into. After all, there are pros and cons to moving to Utah. In this article, we will list 10 things (both good and not-so-good) you should know before moving into the Beehive State in 2023.
1. Outdoor Paradise
Utah is a gem for those who love staying outdoors and participating in recreational activities. So, don’t be surprised when someone says 72% of the state population is frequently involved in outdoor recreation.
The entire state is packed with varied topography, nature, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Utah has as many as five prestigious national parks and as many gorgeous national forests. On top of that, you have 44 state parks, two national recreational areas, and nine national monuments. So, there’s a lot to get involved in.
Utah sees four distinct seasons and occasional extreme weather. Spring, summer, and fall collectively run from March through November, providing ample window for outdoor travel and exploration.
So, when you move into Utah, prepare for people dragging you out for a hiking or camping session. It’s just what Utahans do!
2. Get Ready for Snow
In Texas, there’s barely any snow there. But expect the opposite when you move to Utah. The vibrant winter weather is one of the highlights of the state. It’s not extreme to disrupt your lifestyle and keep you locked indoors.
Most residents can stay outdoors in the winter. The average annual snowfall in Utah is about 4.5 feet. The ski resorts can receive as much as 10 feet of snow, while the southwestern valley is more like Texas, receiving no snowfall.
And when there’s snow, there’s winter activity. In fact, the Beehive State ranks as the second-best state in the US for winter sports. It’s not uncommon for people to head to ski resorts like Park City and Cottonwood Canyon to experience the snowfall. When you’re there, do gear up for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
3. State with Traditional Western Values
Texas boasts a diverse culture with a mix of native, Mexican, and Western philosophies blended into one. But in Utah, it’s predominantly the Western values that reign supreme.
Utah’s culture is influenced by the predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), strongly emphasizing family values, community, and volunteerism.
Politically, Utah leans conservative, with most residents supporting Republican candidates. The state government typically aligns with conservative principles, advocating for limited government intervention and fiscal responsibility.
The state is 77% white and 15% Hispanic, with blacks constituting only 1.5% of the population. But the state is incredibly welcoming to people of all faiths and cultures.
4. A Blend of American and Western Cuisine
Tex-Mex is great, but it can get too much when you’re in Texas. Utah gives you the much-needed change your taste buds need. Characterized by a perfect blend of American and Western culinary practices, you have many options to choose from.
Starting with Western-style comfort food, Utahans really like their steak, fried chicken, mashed potato, burgers, milkshakes, fresh vegetables, etc. The state cuisine can also be dubbed as Mormon cuisine. Many restaurants in Utah offer ‘Mormon cuisine’ with dishes like funeral potatoes, Jell-O salad, and fog eye salad.
But rest assured, you’ll have restaurants serving varying cuisines in Utah, like Indian, Chinese, Thai, Korean, you name it.
5. Healthy Economy and Job Market
A thriving economy accompanied by a robust job market acts like a magnet for youth. Utah is among the best-performing states in recent years, and the outlook looks healthy. The GDP has grown nearly 20% in the past few years.
A deregulated business environment and lower taxes – similar to Texas – are some of the reasons for the healthy economy.
The same can be said about the job market. The unemployment in the state is just about 2%. Many companies like Microsoft and Meta have their offices in Salt Lake City.
The only thing that might worry those moving into the state is lower wages. The average wage in Utah is $48,414, as per ZipRecruiter.
6. Lower Cost of Living than Texas
The cost of living is 25th lowest among the states, even during the inflationary environment. People in the state pay less for goods and services than those in other states. Utilities are the least expensive in the state, just like Texas. But it also has lower groceries, housing, and health care costs than the national average.
Of course, the cost of living depends on the city you’re in. Expect Salt Lake City to be on par with other prominent cities like Dallas or Houston. Overall, it is 8% more expensive than the national average. But cities like Cedar City, Ogden, and Provo are cheap.
7. Expensive Housing Market
If you’re looking to buy or construct a house in Utah, expect to pay more than you’d have paid in Texas. It has an expensive housing market, with median home prices hovering around the $506,000 mark. This is almost double the median single-family home value of $257,628 in Texas.
Increase in demand due to the influx of people and a thriving economy are the prime reasons for this. But you can find affordable homes in cities like Ogden and Logan.
8. A Dry State
Nevada is the driest state in the US. Want to guess the second driest? Yes, it’s the Beehive State. There’s very little rainfall here. And on top of that, the air is quite dry. So don’t be surprised if you constantly have to reach for lip balm and facial lotions in Utah.
Less rain also means less food production. So, at times, expect fresh produce prices to spike.
9. Stricter Drinking Laws
Utah is a conservative state with rich LDS values. And this is reflected in its drinking laws.
All the liquor stores are owned and operated by the state. The maximum ABV percentage allowed is 5%. You should expect small wine pours at restaurants, with a cap of 5 ounces.
Not to mention the cost of alcohol. It has the 5th highest taxes on booze, and the alcohol price is 5th most expensive in the US.
This could be good or not-so-good news, depending on your drinking habits.
10. Worrying Air Quality
This sounds contrary to many people moving into Utah from Texas. If Utah is full of nature reserves and forests, how can its air quality be among the worst in the US? Well, believe it or not, the state has the fifth-worst air quality score.
The main culprit is the summer wildfires, which are all too common in Utah. The smoke degrades the air quality a lot. Smoke from vehicle, factories, and agriculture also contribute to the problem. So, when moving into Utah, make sure to take special care of those with breathing problems.
All Set?
Despite the flaws, Utah is an excellent place to work, live, and settle. The hospitable people and acres and acres of natural resources won’t let Texan homesickness get to you.
So, are you all set to move from Texas to Utah? Take the help of a moving company to deal with relocation and moving hassles. Ward North American has been in this industry for more than 40 years now and knows the process inside-out. Contact us today to get your quote.
