Mesa to Tempe Movers & Costs (2026)
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A Mesa to Tempe, AZ move (~6 miles) starts around $32 for a studio move with a rental truck, and goes up to $3,344 for full-service movers handling a 5-bedroom home.
Local movers such as Gilbert Moving & Storage, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.76 out of 5 stars across 357 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $85/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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September availability is going fast in Mesa
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20 - 30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Mesa to Tempe?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Mesa to Tempe are regulated by Arizona law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Arizona intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Arizona companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.76/5) as the top local pick, followed by Mentors Moving & Storage (4.58/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Mesa to Tempe moves complete in - days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 97+ Arizona movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Mesa to Tempe?
A move from Mesa to Tempe runs $32 to $3,344*, per moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Costs shift based on service type and home size.
Here's what each option costs:
- Full-service movers: $407 - $3,344
- Moving containers: $104 - $1,405
- Rental trucks: $32 - $135
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves combine packing, loading, transport, and unloading in one quote. Professional packing alone runs $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower your costs by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles transport.
- Rental trucks land roughly 30% under full-service pricing, but you're responsible for driving the truck and arranging your own moving help.
- Movers using moveBuddha's cost calculator typically save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $407 - $1,211 | $104 - $716 | $32 - $83 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $671 - $2,267 | $324 - $1,016 | $41 - $110 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,170 - $3,344 | $690 - $1,405 | $56 - $135 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 97+ Arizona moving companies, and are updated as of September 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Mesa, AZ movers.
How Mesa to Tempe moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $85 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,020.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 36% of Mesa movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 24% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 30% of Mesa movers handle hot tubs, vs 22% nationally. Top pick: Mentors Moving & Storage |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Mesa to Tempe
Moving from Mesa to Tempe is a job for local and regional Arizona movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. Gilbert Moving & Storage leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.76 out of 5 stars across 357 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Mesa to Tempe
Local movers operating within Arizona know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
Our top local picks:
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.76/5 stars): 96.6% positive customer ratings.
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.58/5 stars): 88.9% positive customer ratings.
- Camelback Moving (4.7/5 stars): 93.4% positive customer ratings.
- Just-In Time Moving & Storage (4.52/5 stars): 97.9% positive customer ratings.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.44/5 stars): 75.8% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 66 movers in Mesa, drawing on 18,077 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Mesa to Tempe
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Mesa, AZ
Mesa residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Arizona moving resources
How does Tempe compare to Mesa?
Cost of living: Mesa vs. Tempe
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Mesa | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,786 | $1,834 |
| Average home cost | $354,997 | $421,086 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,779 | $77,643 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,416 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,566 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Average sales tax | 8.3% | 8.1% |
Cost-of-living data for Mesa and Tempe comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated September 2026 across 97+ Arizona moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Tempe match Mesa. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Tempe are 19% higher than Mesa. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Tempe matches Mesa. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in Tempe is 125% higher than Mesa. Plan to add roughly 125% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Tempe is 22% higher than Mesa. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
- Unemployment in Tempe runs 11% lower than Mesa. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in Tempe and Mesa match. Day-to-day taxable purchases cost the same in both cities.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,750 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Mesa.
How life is different in Mesa vs. Tempe
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Tempe might look different from Mesa in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Mesa | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 504,258 | 180,587 |
| Political leaning | Republican 52-48 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 105ºF | 104ºF |
| Winter low | 40ºF | 42ºF |
| Annual rain | 10" | 9" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 44.67 | 42.36 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Arizona can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 42% of movers in Arizona, vs 33% nationally).
- Tempe is 64% smaller in size than Mesa. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
- In the last presidential election, Tempe voted Democratic and Mesa voted Republican.
- Summer highs in Tempe (104°F) match Mesa (105°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Mesa (40°F) and Tempe (42°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Mesa (10 inches) and Tempe (9 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Mesa and Tempe is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime indexes in Tempe (42.36) and Mesa (44.67) are similar. Safety considerations apply at the neighborhood level, not the city level.
Things to do in Tempe
Tempe balances outdoor access, cultural depth, sports culture, and academic presence. The categories below cover the best of each.
Museums in Tempe
- AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park
- Tempe History Museum
- Arizona State University Art Museum
- ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery
- Petersen House Museum
Parks in Tempe
- Tempe Town Lake
- Kiwanis Park
- Papago Park
Sports teams in Tempe
- Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA)
Universities in Tempe
- Arizona State University
Final verdict: Mesa to Tempe movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Arizona service. For smaller moves, Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.76/5) is the top local choice, with 96.6% positive reviews across 357 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $32 - $3,344, based on our analysis of 97+ Arizona movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Mesa to Tempe
Is moving from Mesa to Tempe considered a long-distance move?
A move from Mesa to Tempe is classified as an intrastate move, governed by Arizona law rather than federal DOT rules for interstate moves. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles by weight and mileage rather than an hourly rate. Confirm your mover holds a valid Arizona intrastate operating authority, not just a USDOT number, before signing.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Tempe?
The cheapest time to move to Tempe is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
How far in advance should I book Mesa-to-Tempe movers?
Book your Mesa to Tempe movers at least 2 months ahead, or 3 months for a summer move since that's peak season. Booking early improves your odds of getting your preferred date and better rates, and some companies offer early-bird discounts. Since this is an intrastate move, same-day or next-day delivery is often available once your booking is confirmed.
How much is a moving truck from Mesa to Tempe?
A rental truck from Mesa to Tempe costs $34 - $89 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $41 - $110 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $56 - $135 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
How much are moving container companies from Mesa to Tempe?
Moving containers from Mesa to Tempe cost $100 - $716 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $324 - $1,016, and a larger home costs $690 - $1,405.
