Tempe, AZ to Sacramento, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Tempe to Sacramento typically costs $2,600–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 763 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Tempe to Sacramento
Moving from Tempe, AZ to Sacramento, CA typically costs $2,600–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 763-mile move from Tempe to Sacramento, 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
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $5,862 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $1,996 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $559 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 21, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 14, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 10, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 09, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 24, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 16, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Tempe to Sacramento
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,000, but larger homes can run up to $8,600.
- 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 ($600–$1,700) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Best Tempe to Sacramento movers by type
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Best professional movers from Tempe to Sacramento
For a stress-free interstate move from Tempe to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento
Many movers find Sacramento easier on the wallet than Tempe - roughly 51% less for singles and 9% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,656 for one person in Sacramento versus $5,433 in Tempe. For a family of four, it's $6,191 compared with $6,810.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Tempe | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $2,080 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $3,540 |
| Average home value | $471,494 | $476,699 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,080 | $78,954 |
| Cost of living (single) | $5,433 | $2,656 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,810 | $6,191 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.7% |
| Sales tax | 8.1% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Tempe to Sacramento, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Home prices are within about 5% of each other in Sacramento and Tempe, so there’s no need to change up your mortgage budget, unless you’re upgrading your living situation.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 23% higher in Sacramento compared to Tempe, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Sacramento, where the cost of living for a single person is 51% less than in Tempe.
- Moving to Sacramento could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 9% less than in Tempe.
- The unemployment rate in Sacramento is 43% higher compared to Tempe, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 8% higher in Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
| Living Expense | Tempe | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $256.54 | $356.80 |
| Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $61.14 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.75 | $4.58 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $4.27 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.17 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $30.00 | $47.08 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Tempe than in Sacramento, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tempe than in Sacramento.
- Eggs cost more in Tempe than in Sacramento.
- Bread costs less in Tempe than in Sacramento.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Tempe than in Sacramento.
- The cost of a mid-range dinner for two is about the same in both cities.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tempe than in Sacramento.
How life is different in Tempe vs. Sacramento
| Tempe | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,587 | 524,943 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 54 | 49 |
| Bike friendliness score | 75 | 67 |
| Crime index | 42.36 | 49.21 |
| Safety index | 57.64 | 50.79 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Sacramento's population is about 191% greater than Tempe.
- Sacramento's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than Tempe's score of 8.
- Sacramento is less walkable than Tempe with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Tempe's 54 out of 100.
- Sacramento has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Tempe, which has a score of 75.
- Sacramento's crime rate is higher than Tempe with a score of 49.21 compared to Tempe's 42.36. This means that Sacramento neighborhoods are safer than 49.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36%.
- Sacramento is considered to be less safe than Tempe with a score of 50.79 vs Tempe's 57.64.
- Air quality in Sacramento is Moderate, and in Tempe it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Tempe to Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Now that you've chosen Almond Capital of the World as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Sacramento to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Sacramento
- East Sacramento
- Land Park
- Natomas Park
- North Oak Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Boulevard Park
- River Park
- Land Park
- Village 7
- East Sacramento
- Natomas Park
Things to do in Sacramento
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Sacramento 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, Sacramento offers cultural landmarks like the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, California State Capitol Museum, and Old Sacramento.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, Capitol Park, William Land Park, and McKinley 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 Sacramento Kings (NBA)Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Sacramento?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Tempe to Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
Because spring and fall moves from Tempe to Sacramento 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 Sacramento take?
A move of 763 miles from Tempe, AZ to Sacramento, CA generally takes two to seven days. Movers in Tempe sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Sacramento 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.
