Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Las Vegas, NV

Trade snow for sun and sizzle in the ‘City Without Clocks’ 

Though separated by just 420 miles, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas may seem like they’re worlds apart. And in many ways, they are. But it’s possible to find some SLC flavor in Sin City while being open to new adventures. Here are some things to consider as you prepare for life in your new hometown. 

What is the weather like in Las Vegas?

Salt Lake City and Las Vegas have decidedly contrasting weather patterns. While Salt Lake has very definite falls and winters, Las Vegas tends to stay warm all throughout the year. It is something of a hot, dry heaven. You won’t ever need a rain jacket or a snow shovel in Las Vegas. Even when Las Vegas is at its coldest, it only dips below freezing temperatures 16 nights a year. Meanwhile, Salt Lake City is very difficult to handle during the winter months, with an astounding 56.2 inches of snowfall annually. There are only four months of the entire year you don’t have to deal with snow in some form in Salt Lake. If you’re tired of cold temperatures, Las Vegas is the place for you.

Yes, people actually live there 

Las Vegas is a city of transplants, so you won’t be alone! More than half of Las Vegas’ 662,000 residents were born in another state and about 20 percent were born outside the U.S. And since Vegas is roughly three times the size of Salt Lake City, you’ll have much more to explore and experience. Plus, with no state income tax or grocery tax, your dollars go a bit further. 

The 4.2-mile Strip draws millions of visitors every year, but locals spend most of their time in surrounding communities like Henderson and Summerlin. These family-friendly areas offer good schools, shopping, dining and entertainment options while still being close enough for their inhabitants to take in the city’s glamour and glitz.  

If the spirit moves you 

Utah’s capital city is well known as the headquarters of The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly known as the Mormon Church). If you’re wondering about the Mormon presence in Las Vegas, you may be surprised to learn that according to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, more than 100,000 LDS members live in the Las Vegas metro area. That’s about 6 percent of the population. So, moving to Vegas doesn’t have to mean leaving your spiritual practice behind. 

Don’t forget shorts and sunscreen 

Snow is ever-present in Salt Lake City — up to 5 feet of it every year, even stretching into May on occasion. It rarely snows in Las Vegas, but you can find it an hour away in the Spring Mountains. If you’re ready to embrace the sun and heat, there are few places better. Vegas gets over 300 days of sunshine per year with an average temperature of 80 degrees. Yes, the summers are scorching, but there’s air conditioning everywhere and you learn to get outside early or late to avoid the hottest part of the day. 

Another perk of living in Las Vegas: You don’t have to worry about natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or blizzards! 

SLC and Vegas: Naturally beautiful 

If you enjoy exploring outdoors in Salt Lake City, you’ll find some great spots in Las Vegas as well. The city has big, beautiful public parks and the region is also an international destination for hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. Red Rock Canyon is just 20 minutes outside of town and seven national parks are within a few hours’ drive. 

Foodies won’t have to forage in the desert 

While Salt Lake City has made a name for itself on the arts and food scene, you can truly run the gastronomic gauntlet in Las Vegas. From cutting-edge cuisine in celebrity-owned restaurants on the Strip to authentic local fare in every neighborhood, you can eat well at any price point. Just plug your desired treat into your favorite search engine and let your stomach lead the way. 

There’s always something going on 

Many enjoy Salt Lake City because it has a small-town feel with some big-city amenities. In contrast, there’s nothing subtle or subdued about the Entertainment Capital of the World. Vegas is always awake and hopping, providing a round-the-clock outlet for everything from grocery shopping to dining to catching a stage production. 

It's also a growing sports city with the NFL’s Raiders (playing in sparkling Allegiant Stadium) and the NHL’s Golden Knights joining the already-established UNLV Runnin’ Rebels’ basketball team. 

Plan your pain-free move from SLC to Vegas with U-Pack 

You have enough to manage without having to rent a large moving truck in Salt Lake City and haul all your stuff to Las Vegas. With U-Pack®, you’re just a few clicks or a phone call away from avoiding that hassle. You pack and load into our equipment, and we’ll drive it to your new home. And because we have service centers nationwide, you’ll reunite with your belongings in less than a week! Get a free quote today and learn how easy long-distance moving can be with U-Pack.