($630+) San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $630 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,617 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 976 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,023, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,617 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,119 - $3,683, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $630 - $1,852.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,424 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 San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from San Antonio to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,424 - $5,777 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 976 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 976-mile route from San Antonio to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,023 - $4,698, container $1,119 - $2,227, rental truck $630 - $1,268, freight trailer $1,089 - $1,986.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,424 - $5,777, container $1,469 - $2,889, rental truck $702 - $1,508, freight trailer $1,246 - $2,359.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,991 - $7,617, container $2,100 - $3,683, rental truck $836 - $1,852, freight trailer $1,616 - $3,162.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 976-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, with costs ranging from $2,023 - $7,617. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $299 - $1,996. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and Tempe. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,023 - $4,698
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,424 - $5,777
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,991 - $7,617
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 Antonio to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio 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 packing85% of local movers | $499 - $4,990 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $200 - $1,198/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $299 - $2,395 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $998 - $2,994 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,495 - $9,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $748 - $1,420 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $998 - $2,495 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $798 - $3,493 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $299 - $1,497 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $649 - $1,996 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $299 - $14,970+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $299 - $3,493+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Tempe?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Antonio, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,119 and $3,683. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in San Antonio typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,119 - $2,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,469 - $2,889
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,100 - $3,683
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Antonio, TX and Tempe, AZ. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $699 in San Antonio, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,119. 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 $1,469 - $2,889.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio 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 Antonio 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 Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 976 miles from San Antonio, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, running $630 - $1,852. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $310 - $354
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Antonio to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $630 - $1,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $702 - $1,508
- 4+ bedrooms: $836 - $1,852
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Antonio to Tempe starts at $630 - $1,852, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($310 - $354), overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $150 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Antonio, Texas, usually costs about $699 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 976-mile drive falls between $310 and $354, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $50 and $299 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio 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 Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Antonio, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,246 and $2,359.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $1,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,246 - $2,359
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,616 - $3,162
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $75 - $150 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $699.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
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: San Antonio, TX 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 Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 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 Antonio, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Arizona in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 803 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 976-mile route.
Our take
The 976-mile move from San Antonio, TX, to Tempe, AZ, costs between $2,023 and $7,617 with full-service movers, $1,119 - $3,683 with a moving container, and $630 - $1,852 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,424 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Tempe, AZ
What do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tempe run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Tempe?
For families, Alta Mira, Dava-Lakeshore, and Meyer Park are worth a look in Tempe. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cyprus Southwest, Daley Park, and Kyrene-Superstition tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Tempe a safe place to live?
Tempe has a safety index of 57.64 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.36, compared to 51.94 and 48.06 in San Antonio. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.