<or Christian evangelical? (Oregon would be out)>

Not really. There are evangelical Christians in Oregon.

There are evangelical Christians everywhere, and Republicans, and Libertarians, and people of every stripe, as fishee's note about the mayor of SLC makes clear. More or fewer of each, of course, depending on the location, but it would be nice to get away from characterizing entire cities as being inhospitable to one view or another.

In a tiny town, holding views very different from one's neighbors' might make life difficult--although I bet we could all be surprised on that one--but in a city, of, oh, say, more than 100,000 people, anything goes.

Anyway, I digress. The OP asked for a "a relatively conservative area", which is vague enough not to disqualify most places.

Grand Junction CO is relatively conservative while Co Spgs is more so. GJ has four season climate with little snow, summers are hot but very low humidity but nothing like the south. Medium sized university with well-respected nursing program. GJ is the main medical resource between Denver and Salt Lake City. Lots of outdoor activities in the area.

Yes, I live here and recognize the area's advantages but it is too conservative for me and people considering it need to really investigate the political leanings.

The big advantage to Grand Junction is that it is next door to the center of our wine country. That counts for something and it is a little lower at 4500 feet than other parts of Colorado. Historically it has attracted a large number of retired folks but I am not sure that is true today. The initial attraction was the low housing costs caused by the collapse of shale oil projects twenty years plus ago.

Pittsburgh PA. Very livable. Has 4 seasons, not nearly the snow like Michigan. Opportunites for your wife with UPMC and plenty of IT opportunities for you.

<<In a tiny town, holding views very different from one's neighbors' might make life difficult--although I bet we could all be surprised on that one--but in a city, of, oh, say, more than 100,000 people, anything goes.
Anyway, I digress. The OP asked for a "a relatively conservative area", which is vague enough not to disqualify most places.>>

I don't agree with that at all. Most cities in the US cannot be called "relatively conservative."

I think you are missing the OP's point, as I would have the same one only the opposite viewpoint. The general political flavor of the place affects a lot of things, and it doesn't make any difference if you don't talk to your neighbors or not. It affects the general state and local politics, where funds are allocated, laws, all kinds of things and just general values and the flavor of a place. The OP seems to know what they want, why argue with it, I would feel the same way from the opposite direction if I were looking for a new place to move.