Factors affecting the cost of moving from VA to AZ
There are many factors that influence
Virginia moving costs.
The cost to move from Virginia to Arizona will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
-
Time of year: The peak moving season
in Virginia is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from VA to AZ
If you’re moving to Arizona from Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Virginia vs. Arizona
|
Virginia |
Arizona |
| Average rent cost |
$1,440 |
$1,308 |
| Average home cost |
$392,682 |
$428,711 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$87,249 |
$72,581 |
| Cost of Living Index |
0 |
107 |
| Unemployment rate |
2.9% |
3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax |
5.73% |
8.4% |
| State Income Tax |
5.75% |
2.5% |
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Rent is about 9% less expensive in Arizona than in Virginia.
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Home prices are about 9% higher in Arizona than in Virginia.
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The average income is about 17% lower in Arizona than in Virginia.
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Cost of living is inf% lower in Arizona than in Virginia.
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Arizona has a higher unemployment rate than Virginia by about 24%.
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Sales taxes are 47% higher in Arizona than in Virginia.
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Income taxes are 57% lower in Arizona than in Virginia.
How life is different in Arizona vs. Virginia
|
Arizona |
Virginia |
| Population |
7,431,344 |
8,715,698 |
| Political leaning |
Democrat 56-44 |
Democratic 52-48 |
| Summer high |
99ºF |
87ºF |
| Winter low |
34ºF |
25ºF |
| Annual rain |
12" |
44" |
| Annual snow |
6" |
14" |
| Crime index |
24.89 |
19.3 |
-
The population of Arizona is approximately 15% lower than the population of Virginia.
-
In the last presidential election, Arizona voted Democrat and Virginia voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Arizona is 99ºF
and in Virginia, it’s 87ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Arizona reaches the temperature of 34ºF
and Virginia gets down to 25ºF.
-
You can expect about 12 inches of annual rainfall in Arizona versus 44 inches of rainfall in Virginia.
-
In Arizona, it snows about 6 inches annually
versus 14 inches of snow in Virginia.
-
Arizona has a higher crime rate than Virginia with a crime index
of 24.89 vs. 19.3.
Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. Arizona
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Arizona compared to Virginia.
| Pros of living in Virginia |
Pros of living in Arizona |
| Strong economy |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Beautiful scenery |
Pleasant weather |
| Abundance of outdoor activities |
Abundant recreational opportunities |
| Enjoyable four season weather |
Cultural diversity |
| Strong military presence |
No traffic |
Comparing the cons of living in Virginia vs. Arizona
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Virginia for Arizona.
| Cons of living in Virginia |
Cons of living in Arizona |
| High cost of living |
Extreme weather |
| Unpredictable weather |
Barren desert land |
| Bad traffic congestion |
Health hazards |
| Lack of public transportation |
Limited public transportation |
| Air noise pollution |
No winter |
Other things to consider for your Virginia to Arizona move
- Weather: Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
-
Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
-
State licensing:
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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Arizona moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Arizona does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Arizona.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Arizona
While you’re in Arizona, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Grand Canyon
- Sedona
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Hoover Dam
- Phoenix Zoo
- Havasu Falls
- Saguaro National Park
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
- Arizona Science Center
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- London Bridge
- Horseshoe Bend
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Heard Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia to Arizona?
Do movers transport your car from Virginia to Arizona?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from Virginia to Arizona
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Virginia to Arizona?
The main reasons people are moving from Virginia to Arizona are the amazing upsides of living in Arizona such as
ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.
Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or Arizona?
It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in Arizona.
Housing
is more affordable in Virginia,
with average rent about 10% less
and home prices 8% lower than in Arizona.
However, taxes are lower in Arizona, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 50% less than those paid by
Virginia residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arizona?
You should make approximately $63,151 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona.
The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $2,380 per month for an individual and $5,635 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Arizona you live
For example, larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Best overall value
