($948+) Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Tucson, AZ, runs anywhere from $948 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,862 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,581, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,862 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,402 - $4,715, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $948 - $2,541.
- 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 $3,357 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 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 is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,357 - $7,529. Containers cost roughly 50% 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 1,538 miles, expect 4 to 15 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 1,538-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 $2,581 - $5,841 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,402 - $2,474), rental truck ($948 - $1,695), or freight trailer ($1,299 - $2,226). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,357 - $7,529 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,862.
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 Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
For the 1,538-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $2,581 and $10,862. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $338 - $2,252 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Tacoma generally start 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: $2,581 - $5,841
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,357 - $7,529
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,796 - $10,862
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.
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: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tucson, 48% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $563 - $5,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $225 - $1,351/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $338 - $2,702 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% 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 items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,126 - $2,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $901 - $3,941 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $338 - $1,689 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% 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?
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 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 $1,402 and $4,715. 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 Tacoma typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,402 - $2,474
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,684 - $3,709
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,342 - $4,715
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 $1,402. 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 $1,684 - $3,709.
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
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ
Plan on $948 - $2,541 for a rental moving truck on the 1,538-mile route from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, Arizona. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $948 - $1,695
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,006 - $2,058
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,204 - $2,541
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tacoma to Tucson looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $948 - $2,541. But once you factor in fuel ($551 - $630), overnight lodging ($169/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $84 and $394.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $169.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $551 and $630 for the 1,538-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $788 for 2 movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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 well suited for larger moves from Tacoma, Washington, to Tucson, 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 $1,376 and $2,967.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,299 - $2,226
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,967
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,854 - $3,927
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?
- 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 $84 - $169 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about five hours typically runs $788.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Tucson?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 279 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 $2,581 - $10,862 on the 1,538-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,402 - $4,715, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $948 - $2,541. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,357 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
How long does a move from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, AZ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tacoma, WA to Tucson, 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.
Is Tucson a safe place to live?
Tucson has a safety index of 45.57 out of 100 and a crime index of 54.43, compared to 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.