Tempe, AZ to Los Angeles, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Tempe to Los Angeles typically costs $2,000–$5,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 380 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Tempe to Los Angeles
Moving from Tempe, AZ to Los Angeles, CA typically costs $2,000–$5,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 380-mile move from Tempe to Los Angeles, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $4,068 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $3,408 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $2,512 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Mar 02, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 12, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 01, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 31, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 04, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 03, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 30, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Tempe to Los Angeles
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,200, but larger homes can run up to $7,800.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Tempe.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($400–$1,100) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Los Angeles, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Best Tempe to Los Angeles movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Tempe to Los Angeles
For a stress-free interstate move from Tempe to Los Angeles, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best AZ→CA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 99 Arizona moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Tempe to Los Angeles
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Los Angeles runs about 7% higher for singles and 87% higher for families than Tempe.
Singles spend around $5,833 in Los Angeles versus $5,433 in Tempe; families pay $12,720 compared with $6,810.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Tempe | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $2,603 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $4,443 |
| Average home value | $471,494 | $2,368,088 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,080 | $74,993 |
| Cost of living (single) | $5,433 | $5,833 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,810 | $12,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.1% | 9.5% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Los Angeles, note that rent can be roughly 61% more expensive than it is in Tempe; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 402% higher in Los Angeles than in Tempe.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 17% higher in Los Angeles compared to Tempe, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Los Angeles, since the cost of living for a single person is 7% more than in Tempe. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Los Angeles, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Los Angeles is 87% more than it is in Tempe.
- The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 96% higher compared to Tempe, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 17% higher in Los Angeles than in Tempe. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 432% higher in California compared to Arizona. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Tempe with Los Angeles:
| Living Expense | Tempe | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $256.54 | $192.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $62.50 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.75 | $7.02 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $4.58 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.17 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $30.00 | $47.76 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- Eggs are less expensive in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- Bread costs less in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tempe than in Los Angeles.
How life is different in Tempe vs. Los Angeles
| Tempe | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,587 | 3,820,914 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 54 | 69 |
| Bike friendliness score | 75 | 59 |
| Crime index | 42.36 | 53.81 |
| Safety index | 57.64 | 46.19 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Los Angeles's population is about 2016% greater than Tempe.
- Los Angeles's public transportation score is within about 5% of Tempe, making them very similar.
- Los Angeles is more walkable than Tempe with a score of 69 out of 100 vs Tempe's 54 out of 100.
- Los Angeles has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Tempe, which has a score of 75.
- Los Angeles's crime rate is higher than Tempe with a score of 53.81 compared to Tempe's 42.36. This means that Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 53.81% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36%.
- Los Angeles is considered to be less safe than Tempe with a score of 46.19 vs Tempe's 57.64.
- Air quality in Los Angeles is Moderate, and in Tempe it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Tempe to Los Angeles move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Los Angeles smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Los Angeles
Now that you've chosen City of Angels as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Echo Park
- Los Feliz
- Playa Del Rey
- Silver Lake
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Brentwood
- Eagle Rock
- Mar Vista
- Playa Vista
- Studio City
Things to do in Los Angeles
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Los Angeles is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Los Angeles offers cultural landmarks like the The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Petersen Automotive Museum, and Battleship USS Iowa Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and Echo Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)Los Angeles FC (MLS)Los Angeles Kings (NHL)Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)Los Angeles Rams (NFL)Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Los Angeles?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Tempe to Los Angeles are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Tempe are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tempe to Los Angeles?
Because spring and fall moves from Tempe to Los Angeles are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Tempe to Los Angeles take?
A move of 380 miles from Tempe, AZ to Los Angeles, CA generally takes one to four days. Movers in Tempe sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Los Angeles is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Tempe?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In Tempe, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts. 2 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 5 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Tempe offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 54 movers in Tempe have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 37 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across AZ, there are 73 piano movers and 49 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
