($769+) Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $769 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,294 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,196 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,081, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,294 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,249 - $4,187, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $769 - $2,003.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,723 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from Kansas City to Tempe: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,723 - $6,399. Containers cost roughly 43% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 70% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,196 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,196-mile route from Kansas City to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,081 for a studio up to $8,294 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,249 - $4,187 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $769 - $2,003, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,058 - $3,283, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,196-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Tempe, Arizona, with costs ranging from $2,081 - $8,294. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $294 - $1,960. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Kansas City and Tempe. Local movers in Kansas City typically start around $251 as a base rate plus $113/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Kansas City to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,081 - $4,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,723 - $6,399
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,516 - $8,294
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Kansas City to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Kansas City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $490 - $4,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $196 - $1,176/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $294 - $2,352 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $980 - $2,940 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,450 - $9,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $734 - $1,395 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $980 - $2,450 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $784 - $3,430 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $294 - $1,470 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Sunrise Moving and Packing - Kansas City | $637 - $1,960 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $294 - $14,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $294 - $3,430+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City to Tempe?
All three below meet the standards set by the Arizona Moving Association, the group most Arizona movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Kansas City, MO. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,249 and $4,187. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Kansas City typically costs about $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $2,362
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,546 - $3,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,093 - $4,187
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $147 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tempe, AZ, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $686 in Kansas City, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Arizona move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,249. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,546 - $3,068.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City to Tempe?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Kansas City to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- The Dudes Moving Company LLC (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from Kansas City, Missouri, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $769 - $2,003 for the 1,196-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $373 - $426
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Kansas City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Kansas City to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $769 - $1,395
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $807 - $1,593
- 4+ bedrooms: $975 - $2,003
Pro tip: The base rate of $769 - $2,003 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Kansas City to Tempe. Fuel ($373 - $426), lodging at around $147/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Kansas City, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $686.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $373 - $426 for the 1,196-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $319, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $147 per night for hotel stops on the 1,196-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $294 - $441.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City to Tempe?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Kansas City, Missouri, to Tempe, Arizona, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,237 and $2,633.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,058 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,237 - $2,633
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,640 - $3,283
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Kansas City, Missouri, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $686.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $147 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Kansas City, MO vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Kansas City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,300/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $223,324 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $67,449/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 42.6/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Kansas City, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri to Arizona, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 138 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 1,196-mile move.
Our take
A move from Kansas City, MO, to Tempe, AZ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,081 - $8,294 on the 1,196-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,249 - $4,187, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $769 - $2,003. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,723 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Tempe, AZ
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Kansas City, MO to Tempe, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $769 to $8,294, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,081 and $8,294, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 35 and 35 in Kansas City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($373 - $426), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.