($497+) San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ ranges from $1,189 to $7,887, with an average cost of $2,800. Moves can be as low as $497 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 719 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from San Jose to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,189 - $7,887 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 719 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 719-mile route from San Jose to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,189 - $4,380 with full-service movers, $1,052 - $1,836 with a container, $512 - $923 with a rental truck, or $930 - $1,669 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,210 - $5,581 full-service, $1,365 - $2,648 by container, $547 - $1,142 by rental truck, or $1,102 - $2,159 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,880 - $7,887 full-service, $1,687 - $3,506 by container, $664 - $1,328 by rental truck, or $1,336 - $2,618 by freight.
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 San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 719-mile move from San Jose, California, to Tempe, Arizona, with prices running from $1,189 - $7,887. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $551 - $3,676 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Jose and Tempe are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Jose movers tend to run around $316 as a base rate plus $119/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,189 - $4,380
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,210 - $5,581
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,880 - $7,887
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 San Jose to Tempe.
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 San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Jose 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 | $919 - $9,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $368 - $2,206/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $551 - $4,411 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,838 - $5,514 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,595 - $18,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,377 - $2,615 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,838 - $4,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,470 - $6,433 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $551 - $2,757 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,195 - $3,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $551 - $27,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $551 - $6,433+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Tempe?
Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Jose, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,052 and $3,506. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Jose costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,052 - $1,836
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,506
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,287 in San Jose, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $138 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $276 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tempe, AZ, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,052. 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 $1,365 - $2,648.
What are the best moving containers San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
Renting a moving truck for the 719-mile move from San Jose, California, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $512 and $1,328, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $420 - $481
- Daily insurance: $55/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 San Jose to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $512 - $923
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $547 - $1,142
- 4+ bedrooms: $664 - $1,328
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $512 - $1,328 does not include fuel ($420 - $481), lodging ($276/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Jose to Tempe typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $276 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $119 and $597 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $420 - $481 in fuel for the 719-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,287 in San Jose, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose 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 San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Jose, California, 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 $1,102 and $2,159.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $930 - $1,669
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,159
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,336 - $2,618
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $138 and $276.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Jose, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,287.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Jose to Tempe, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: San Jose, CA 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 San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 113 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 San Jose, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 719-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 719-mile route from San Jose, CA, to Tempe, AZ, run $1,189 - $7,887 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,052 - $3,506, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $512 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,210, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Tempe, AZ
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($420 - $481), daily insurance ($55/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $37) on top. Overnight stops can add another $276/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 51 and 62 in San Jose. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $497 to $7,887, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,189 and $7,887, 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Jose, CA 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.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.