($1,574) Movers From Birmingham, AL to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Birmingham to Tempe

Moving from Birmingham to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Birmingham, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tempe are 47% higher than in Birmingham, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
  Home prices in Tempe are 274.2% higher than in Birmingham.
• Income in Tempe is 62.6% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tempe include Amkor Technology, Inc., Benchmark Electronics, and America West Holdings.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person in Tempe is 101.4% higher than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tempe, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 1.2% higher than in Birmingham.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 3.57% lower than in Birmingham.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 19.00% lower than in Birmingham.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 50.00% lower than in Birmingham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,043.38 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.

How life is different in Birmingham vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 8% less than Birmingham.
• Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than Birmingham, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 0 in Birmingham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tempe means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Birmingham. Tempe is considered more walkable than Birmingham, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Birmingham. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than Birmingham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, while Birmingham is rated as 31 out of 100.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Birmingham based on scores of 42.36 and Birmingham's 61.64, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tempe than in Birmingham, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 38.36 for Birmingham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Tempe and Birmingham is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. Tempe move

• Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: 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.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Arizona does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tempe. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Tempe

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Tempe", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tempe.

Helpful moving resources