The moving to Utah guideMoving to Utah, mapped out
Moving to Utah: choosing an area by drive time, how Utah's property tax works, buying from out of state, and the state's own links for new residents, from Darian Olson.
By Darian Olson
Introduction
Moving to Utah goes best in five steps: choose an area by drive time, understand the property tax, plan the purchase from a distance, set your money and dates, and set up your licence and car when you arrive. Each step below has its sourced figures and the tool for it.
Free to read, with no sign-up. Every figure names its source.
Chapter 01
Choose an area by drive time
Start with the drive to the places you go every week. From downtown Salt Lake City, the areas Darian Olson serves run from 0 to 33 miles in a straight line.
Public school counts are the official list (Source: NCES and Utah State Board of Education. School assignment can change; check with the district., 2024-25), counted within 3 miles; no ratings. Each district publishes its own boundary map for the exact address.
Start with the drive to the places you go every week.
| Area | County | Miles (straight line) | Drive, no traffic | Public schools within 3 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | Salt Lake County | 0 | - | 28 |
| Bountiful | Davis County | 9 | about 15 min | 23 |
| Holladay | Salt Lake County | 7 | about 18 min | 30 or more |
| Draper | Salt Lake County | 16 | about 20 min | 22 |
| South Jordan | Salt Lake County | 14 | about 18 min | 29 |
| Sandy | Salt Lake County | 14 | about 22 min | 30 or more |
| Herriman | Salt Lake County | 19 | about 29 min | 24 |
| Cottonwood Heights | Salt Lake County | 11 | about 19 min | 21 |
| Saratoga Springs | Utah County | 28 | about 37 min | 15 |
| Eagle Mountain | Utah County | 31 | about 44 min | 7 |
| West Jordan | Salt Lake County | 11 | about 16 min | 30 or more |
| Millcreek | Salt Lake County | 5 | about 10 min | 30 or more |
| Murray | Salt Lake County | 6 | about 10 min | 30 or more |
| Riverton | Salt Lake County | 17 | about 21 min | 24 |
| Lehi | Utah County | 26 | about 30 min | 23 |
| Centerville | Davis County | 11 | about 17 min | 15 |
| Farmington | Davis County | 15 | about 18 min | 12 |
| Kaysville | Davis County | 19 | about 23 min | 27 |
| Layton | Davis County | 21 | about 25 min | 30 or more |
| Syracuse | Davis County | 24 | about 30 min | 19 |
| West Point | Davis County | 27 | about 32 min | 18 |
| Ogden | Weber County | 32 | about 38 min | 30 or more |
| West Valley City | Salt Lake County | 7 | about 16 min | 30 or more |
| Park City | Summit County | 22 | about 35 min | 5 |
| Midway | Wasatch County | 28 | about 48 min | 4 |
| Heber City | Wasatch County | 31 | about 45 min | 9 |
| Kamas | Summit County | 33 | about 45 min | 4 |
| Peoa | Summit County | 29 | about 43 min | 0 |
| Midvale | Salt Lake County | 10 | about 15 min | 30 or more |
| Taylorsville | Salt Lake County | 7 | about 11 min | 30 or more |
Chapter 02
Property tax works differently here
Utah taxes a home you live in on 55% of its market value: 45% of a primary residence is exempt (Utah Code 59-2-103). A second home or rental is taxed on its full value.
The rate depends on the home's tax area. The middle 2025 rate in each area Darian Olson serves, and what it means a year on a home you live in, per $100,000 of value:
| Area | Middle rate | Range | A year per $100,000, primary home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | 0.924% | 0.9077% - 1.1341% | $508 |
| Bountiful | 1.0102% | 1.0043% - 1.0222% | $556 |
| Holladay | 0.9593% | 0.9593% - 1.0361% | $528 |
| Draper | 0.9348% | 0.8811% - 1.001% | $514 |
| South Jordan | 0.9167% | 0.8647% - 0.9188% | $504 |
| Sandy | 0.9588% | 0.9121% - 1.0212% | $527 |
| Herriman | 1.0826% | 1.0486% - 2.0826% | $595 |
| Cottonwood Heights | 1.0019% | 0.9564% - 1.0672% | $551 |
| Saratoga Springs | 0.8174% | 0.8169% - 0.818% | $450 |
| Eagle Mountain | 0.9377% | 0.9377% - 1.2721% | $516 |
| West Jordan | 0.9002% | 0.8662% - 1.1053% | $495 |
| Millcreek | 1.1176% | 0.9238% - 1.1631% | $615 |
| Murray | 0.8375% | 0.8035% - 1.0638% | $461 |
| Riverton | 1.0052% | 1.0052% - 1.0052% | $553 |
| Lehi | 0.8373% | 0.8362% - 0.8373% | $461 |
| Centerville | 1.0454% | 1.0109% - 1.0513% | $575 |
| Farmington | 0.9977% | 0.983% - 1.0124% | $549 |
| Kaysville | 0.9732% | 0.9625% - 0.9919% | $535 |
| Layton | 0.9527% | 0.9313% - 0.9527% | $524 |
| Syracuse | 1.0365% | 1.0045% - 1.0365% | $570 |
| West Point | 1.0671% | 1.0351% - 1.0865% | $587 |
| Ogden | 1.2402% | 1.1256% - 1.277% | $682 |
| West Valley City | 1.1579% | 1.0785% - 1.2445% | $637 |
| Park City | 0.5508% | 0.5431% - 0.6193% | $303 |
| Midway | 0.9215% | 0.9215% - 0.9215% | $507 |
| Heber City | 0.9316% | 0.9316% - 1.4316% | $512 |
| Kamas | 0.5811% | 0.5811% - 0.5811% | $320 |
| Peoa | 0.5622% | 0.4358% - 1.1201% | $309 |
| Midvale | 1.1049% | 1.0709% - 1.145% | $608 |
| Taylorsville | 1.119% | 1.0217% - 1.2153% | $615 |
Chapter 03
Buying from out of state
Buying a Utah home from out of state works best with an agent who can be your eyes on the ground: live video tours, drive times from each home to your work, a short trip planned around the homes worth seeing, and every signature handled online. That is how we help people relocating to Utah.
Buying a home you have only seen on video is a real risk. Plan an inspection, ask for a second video walk-through of anything you are unsure about, and if at all possible see the home in person before the due diligence deadline in your contract.
- A call before anything elseYour work address, your budget, your timing and what the home needs to have, so we only show you homes that fit.
- Areas by drive timeWe map homes by real drive time to your job or campus, using our Moving to Utah guide and each area's page.
- Tours from wherever you areLive video walk-throughs of the homes you pick, with the questions you would ask if you were there.
- A trip that countsIf you can come out, we plan a day or two around the best homes and the areas you want to see.
- Buying from a distanceOffers, inspections and closing handled with online signing wherever the title company allows it, and an update to you at every step.
Chapter 04
Plan the money and the dates
Set your savings target and your dates around the day you need to move: when to be pre-approved, when to fly in or tour by video, when to be under contract. If your job is new, tell your lender early; they will want to see the offer letter.
Rather talk it through?
Pick a time that suits you, and we will walk through your own numbers.
Chapter 05
When you arrive
New residents set up a Utah driver licence, vehicle registration and utilities. These are the state's own offices:
- Driver licenceUtah Driver License Division
- Car registrationUtah Division of Motor Vehicles
- Public schoolsUtah State Board of Education
- Buses and TRAXUtah Transit Authority
Your checklist
Moving to Utah guide: what to do
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Asked and answered
Questions
How far is Bountiful, Utah from downtown Salt Lake City?
About 15 minutes by car without traffic, or 9 miles in a straight line.
How far is Holladay, Utah from downtown Salt Lake City?
About 18 minutes by car without traffic, or 7 miles in a straight line.
How far is Draper, Utah from downtown Salt Lake City?
About 20 minutes by car without traffic, or 16 miles in a straight line.
Can I buy a house in Utah without seeing it in person?
Yes. Many buyers do with live video tours, a full inspection and online signing. We still recommend seeing the home before your due diligence deadline if you can.
How do I choose an area if I don't know Utah?
Start with drive time to the places you go every week, then your budget and the kind of home you want. Our Moving to Utah guide shows drive times and official links for each area we serve; we fill in the rest on a call.
How long does it take to buy a home in Utah?
From an accepted offer to closing is often 30 to 45 days. Finding the right home first can take a few weeks or a few months.
Should I rent first when I move to Utah?
Renting for a few months gives you time to learn the area; buying first saves a second move. We will go through both with you, including what your lender needs if your job is new.
Which schools serve a home?
Each Utah school district publishes its own boundary maps. We link the official lists and you check the district's map for the exact address. We do not rate schools.
What do I need to do after I move to Utah?
New residents set up a Utah driver licence, vehicle registration and utilities. Our Moving to Utah guide links the state's own pages for each.
Notes and sources
- Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 Tax Rates by Tax Area (final adopted rates)
- Utah Code 59-2-103 (45% primary residential exemption)
- Utah Driver License Division
- Utah Division of Motor Vehicles
- Utah State Board of Education
- Utah Transit Authority
Figures are estimates for planning, not a loan offer or a price opinion; your lender and your agent confirm what applies to you.
Your next step
Questions about your move?
Darian Olson answers personally. Tell us where you are and what you want to do next.
Or send us a message, and we will answer personally.
