($986+) Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Tucson, AZ, runs anywhere from $937 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,517 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,538 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,579, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,517 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,530 - $4,948, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $937 - $2,640.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Tucson, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,559 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from Tacoma to Tucson: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,559 - $7,983. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,538-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,538-mile route from Tacoma to Tucson, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,579 - $5,952 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,530 - $2,814), rental truck ($937 - $1,926), or freight trailer ($1,285 - $2,360). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,559 - $7,983 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,517.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
Full-service movers for the 1,538-mile relocation from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $2,579 and $11,517. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $338 - $2,252, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tacoma typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,579 - $5,952
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,559 - $7,983
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,082 - $11,517
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 Tacoma to Tucson.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tucson, 92% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $563 - $5,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $225 - $1,351/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $338 - $2,702 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage35% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs35% of local movers | $1,126 - $3,378 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,815 - $11,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $843 - $1,602 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $1,126 - $2,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $901 - $3,941 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $338 - $1,689 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $732 - $2,252 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $338 - $16,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $338 - $3,941+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Tucson?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $1,530 and $4,948. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Tucson. If you go over that window, storage in Tacoma adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,530 - $2,814
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,842 - $3,704
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,688 - $4,948
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $169 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $788 in Tacoma, WA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Tucson, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,530. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,842 - $3,704, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Tucson?
- 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
Truck rentals from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, Arizona, range from $937 - $2,640 for the 1,538-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $551 - $630
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Tucson based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $937 - $1,926
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,077 - $2,271
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,640
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tacoma to Tucson starts at $937 - $2,640, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($551 - $630) , overnight lodging ($169/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $169 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 $73 and $366 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $551 - $630 in fuel for the 1,538-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $788 in Tacoma, Washington, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Tucson?
- 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 Tacoma, WA to Tucson, 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 Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,504 and $2,932.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,285 - $2,360
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,504 - $2,932
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,027 - $3,959
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $84 and $169.
- 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 Tacoma, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $788.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Tucson?
- 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.
- Allstate Transport (4.76/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tacoma to Tucson. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Tucson, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tucson, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $1,295/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $240,428 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $54,546/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 45.57/100 |
| 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 Tucson, AZ to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Arizona, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 95 movers licensed in Washington, useful context for sizing up this 1,538-mile move.
Our take
A move from Tacoma, WA, to Tucson, 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 $2,579 - $11,517 on the 1,538-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,530 - $4,948, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $937 - $2,640. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,559 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Tucson tend to point to beautiful nature and renowned cuisine, though high crime rate and low economic opportunity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include University of Arizona and Raytheon Technologies.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Tucson, AZ
What is the best time of year to move from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 ($551 - $630), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $169/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Tucson?
Tucson has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $2,579 to $11,517, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,579 and $11,517, 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 percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.