Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Tempe to Riverside typically costs $1,900–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 327 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Tempe to Riverside
Moving from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA typically costs $1,900–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 327-mile move from Tempe to Riverside, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 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
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,264 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,569 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $1,600 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Jan 30, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 28, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 23, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 26, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 04, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 02, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 27, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Tempe to Riverside
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,100, but larger homes can run up to $7,700.
- 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 ($400–$1,000) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Best Tempe to Riverside movers by type
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Tempe to Riverside
For a stress-free interstate move from Tempe to Riverside, 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 Riverside
Many movers find Riverside easier on the wallet than Tempe - roughly 53% less for singles and 18% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,573 for one person in Riverside versus $5,433 in Tempe. For a family of four, it's $5,604 compared with $6,810.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Tempe | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $2,163 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $3,270 |
| Average home value | $471,494 | $642,297 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,080 | $76,755 |
| Cost of living (single) | $5,433 | $2,573 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,810 | $5,604 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 8.1% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Riverside, note that rent can be roughly 25% more expensive than it is in Tempe; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 36% higher in Riverside than in Tempe.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 20% higher in Riverside compared to Tempe, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Riverside, where the cost of living for a single person is 53% less than in Tempe.
- Moving to Riverside 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 18% less than in Tempe.
- The unemployment rate in Riverside is 31% higher compared to Tempe, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 8% higher in Riverside 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 Riverside:
| Living Expense | Tempe | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $256.54 | $226.85 |
| Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $46.50 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.75 | $5.45 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $4.02 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.17 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $85.00 |
| Gym membership | $30.00 | $35.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tempe than in Riverside.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tempe than in Riverside.
- Eggs are less expensive in Tempe than in Riverside.
- Bread is more expensive in Tempe than in Riverside.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Tempe than in Riverside.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Tempe than in Riverside.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tempe than in Riverside.
How life is different in Tempe vs. Riverside
| Tempe | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,587 | 317,261 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 54 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 75 | 49 |
| Crime index | 42.36 | 40.24 |
| Safety index | 57.64 | 59.76 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Riverside's population is about 76% greater than Tempe.
- Riverside's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Tempe's score of 8.
- Riverside is less walkable than Tempe with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Tempe's 54 out of 100.
- Riverside has a bike-friendliness score of 49 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Tempe, which has a score of 75.
- Riverside and Tempe have a similar crime rate with scores of 40.24 and 42.36, respectively.
- Riverside and Tempe have a similar safety level, with scores of 59.76 and 57.64.
- Air quality in Riverside is Moderate, and in Tempe it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Tempe to Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Now that you've chosen City of Arts and Innovation as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Riverside to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Canyon Crest
- Victoria
- Downtown
- Magnolia Center
- La Sierra South
Best neighborhoods for families
- Orangecrest
- Mission Grove
- Canyon Crest
- Alessandro Heights
- Victoria
Things to do in Riverside
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Riverside 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, Riverside offers cultural landmarks like the March Field Air Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Art Museum, and Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Mount Rubidoux Park, Fairmount Park, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, and Ryan Bonaminio 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 California Baptist Lancers (College sports)UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports)Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Riverside?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Tempe to Riverside 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 Riverside?
Because spring and fall moves from Tempe to Riverside 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 Riverside take?
A move of 327 miles from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA generally takes one to four days. Movers in Tempe sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Riverside 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 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
