Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Austin, TX

Embrace a warmer and more eclectic new place to call home 

Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX each rank among the most desirable U.S. cities in which to live, and with good reason. As the capitals and progressive centers of their respective states, SLC and Austin have more in common than you might expect. But there are some notable differences, too.  

Want to learn what you can expect when relocating from The Crossroads of the West to Hippie Haven? Wondering about the easiest and most cost-effective way to do it? You’re in the right place!  

Find abundant career opportunities 

Attention, job-seekers: The Wall Street Journal ranked Salt Lake City and Austin as the country’s top two hottest labor markets. SLC and Austin are both regional technology hubs, earning the nicknames “Silicon Slopes” and “Silicon Hills.” With companies like Tesla and Google establishing a presence, job growth in Austin is predicted to increase by 47 percent over the next decade. 

Tech is driving this growth, but Austin also boasts a diverse workforce. Top employers include the city of Austin, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Independent School District, St. David’s HealthCare Partnership, the state of Texas, the U.S. federal government, Apple and IBM — each employ more than 6,000 people. 

Stretch your dollars in the Lone Star State 

Salt Lake City and Austin match up closely in overall cost of living. But there’s a key factor that has attracted many transplants to Texas: No state income tax. This may help offset the rising housing costs of Austin (median price of $551,200). Comparatively, the average Salt Lake City home costs $523,400 and Utah has a flat income tax of 4.95 percent.  

Explore the great outdoors 

While Austin lacks the snow and world-class winter sports options of Salt Lake City, there’s still plenty of excellent outdoor recreation to enjoy in Texas Hill Country. Multiple lakes — including the centrally located Lady Bird Lake — and large parks provide beautiful backdrops for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and camping. 

Discover new cultural pursuits 

Salt Lake City has its own unique culture centered around the Mormon Church, fine arts and stunning natural scenery. Meanwhile, in Texas, locals do their best to uphold the “Keep Austin Weird” mantra through a broad blend of live music, arts and food. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Austin every year for the Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest, the city’s two signature annual events. There are also several art museums around town and the fall isn’t complete without joining 100,000-plus fans at a Texas Longhorns football game. 

Say goodbye to winter as you know it 

Austin’s climate can be paradise for those who love warmer weather and stifling for those who don’t. You won’t see four distinct seasons or 5 feet of snow each winter in Central Texas like you do in Salt Lake City. Instead, expect lots of sun, humidity and temperatures exceeding 90 degrees from May through September. Spring is pleasant in Austin, where wildflowers bloom everywhere. 

Leaving SLC for Austin? Make it easier with U-Pack 

Long-distance moves can be time-consuming, stressful and expensive. But with U-Pack®, yours doesn’t have to be. As an industry leader specializing in long-distance relocation, we blend the best of full-service moving with DIY prices to simplify your experience. That includes us doing the driving! Locate a nearby service center and get your free quote today.