Moving from Southern California
Home prices, taxes, gas and power bills side by side, plus a calculator for your own numbers.
Compare where you live now with where you're headed
Median sale price: Redfin, August–September 2026. Property tax: California Board of Equalization 2024–25 average rate; for Utah, the Tax Commission's 2025 county average rate after the 45% primary-residence exemption (an estimate; actual rates vary by town). Sales tax: main city, Oct. 2026. Gas: AAA regular, Oct. 14, 2026. Electricity: U.S. EIA 2024 average residential price. Sources: Redfin · CA BOE · Utah Tax Commission · CDTFA · Utah sales tax · AAA CA · AAA UT · EIA by utility · EIA by state
Your yearly costs, side by side
Change any box; the estimate updates as you type. These are rough estimates for planning, not tax advice.
| California | Utah |
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Income tax: California 2025 rate schedule (joint brackets are double the single brackets) vs. Utah's 4.45% flat rate for 2026, both on the taxable income you enter, before credits. Vehicles: California's 0.65% vehicle license fee plus $110 in base and CHP fees vs. Utah's age-based uniform fee; other registration fees are left out on both sides. FTB · Utah SB 60 · CA DMV · Utah DMV
What about price per square foot?
Median prices only tell part of the story; what you get for the money is the bigger surprise for most California buyers. Christina pulls current price per square foot from the MLS for the exact towns and home styles you're comparing, so you can line it up against your home's value today.
Ask Christina for a price-per-square-foot comparison for your California neighborhood and the towns you're considering.
Things that work differently here
- No Prop 13. Utah homes are assessed at market value every year, but a primary residence is taxed on only 55% of that value, and rates are much lower.
- Water shares. Many homes have separate secondary (irrigation) water, and water rights don't automatically come with a property. Read what to ask.
- Real winters. Logan averages about 62 inches of snow a year; Ogden Valley over 100. Snow-rated tires matter on canyon roads.
- Winter inversions. Some calm winter days bring haze in the valleys. How locals handle it.
- Groceries are taxed at a reduced 3% rate in Utah; California exempts most groceries.
Staying close to family in California
- As of early 2026, Breeze Airways flew nonstop between Ogden and Orange County (John Wayne). Source
- Salt Lake City International, the region's main airport, is about 89 miles (roughly 1½ hours) from Logan and closer from Ogden. Source
- Driving? I-15 runs the whole way from Southern California to Ogden, and US-89/91 continues through Sardine Canyon to Cache Valley.
Start with the town guides
Every guide covers schools, utilities and rates, lakes and trails, jobs, seasons and what's new: Logan, North Logan, Providence, Nibley, Brigham City, Ogden, North Ogden, Ogden Valley, Bear Lake and all areas. Also see the newcomer FAQ.
Christina has worked with buyers relocating from California for years. Ask her anything about the move, or call or text (435) 994-5449.
What's my home worth?
Online estimates miss what makes your home different. Tell me about it and I'll prepare a real market analysis based on recent sales near you, at no cost.