Moving from Seattle, WA to Provo, UT
It is 872 mi between Seattle and Provo — roughly 15h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
872 mi · 15h 22m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.6% moving from Seattle to Provo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $484,203 in Provo, a 11.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 17.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.2°F vs 54.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Provo sees 44.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.35 |
Provo households earn about 11.6% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $62,800 on ACS 2023.
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 Washington 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Provo averages 44.9 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95°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
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Provo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.6°F in Provo vs 53.2°F in Seattle (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.2 in vs 37.8 in.
Is Provo more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 11.6% lower than Seattle (98.232 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 48.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Provo compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Provo, UT from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 872 mi and the route typically takes 15h 22m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Provo, UT.