Tempe to Mesa Movers & Costs (2026)
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A Tempe to Mesa, AZ move (~6 miles) starts around $32 for a studio move with a rental truck, and goes up to $3,658 for full-service movers handling a 5-bedroom home.
Local movers such as Mentors Moving & Storage, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.58 out of 5 stars across 126 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $85/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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September availability is going fast in Tempe
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20 - 30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Tempe to Mesa?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Tempe to Mesa are regulated by Arizona law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Arizona intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Arizona companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend Mentors Moving & Storage (4.58/5) as the top local pick, followed by Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.76/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Tempe to Mesa moves complete in - days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 97+ Arizona movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Tempe to Mesa?
A move from Tempe to Mesa runs $32 to $3,658*, per moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Costs shift based on service type and home size.
Here's what each option costs:
- Full-service movers: $407 - $3,658
- Moving containers: $105 - $1,296
- Rental trucks: $32 - $135
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves combine packing, loading, transport, and unloading in one quote. Professional packing alone runs $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower your costs by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles transport.
- Rental trucks land roughly 30% under full-service pricing, but you're responsible for driving the truck and arranging your own moving help.
- Movers using moveBuddha's cost calculator typically save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $407 - $1,259 | $105 - $695 | $32 - $86 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $734 - $2,199 | $344 - $1,016 | $43 - $107 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,124 - $3,658 | $676 - $1,296 | $57 - $135 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 97+ Arizona moving companies, and are updated as of September 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Tempe, AZ movers.
How Tempe to Mesa moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $85 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,020.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 36% of Tempe movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 24% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 30% of Tempe movers handle hot tubs, vs 22% nationally. Top pick: Mentors Moving & Storage |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Tempe to Mesa
Moving from Tempe to Mesa is a job for local and regional Arizona movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. Mentors Moving & Storage leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.58 out of 5 stars across 126 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Tempe to Mesa
Local movers operating within Arizona know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
Our top local picks:
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.58/5 stars): 88.9% positive customer ratings.
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.76/5 stars): 96.6% positive customer ratings.
- Camelback Moving (4.7/5 stars): 93.4% positive customer ratings.
- NorthStar Moving Company (4.56/5 stars): 90.1% positive customer ratings.
- Get Your Move On (4.5/5 stars): 91.6% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 66 movers in Tempe, drawing on 18,077 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Tempe to Mesa
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Tempe, AZ
Tempe residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Arizona moving resources
How does Mesa compare to Tempe?
Cost of living: Tempe vs. Mesa
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Tempe | Mesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,834 | $1,786 |
| Average home cost | $421,086 | $354,997 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,643 | $78,779 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,433 | $2,416 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,810 | $5,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.1% |
| Average sales tax | 8.1% | 8.3% |
Cost-of-living data for Tempe and Mesa comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated September 2026 across 97+ Arizona moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Mesa match Tempe. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Mesa are 16% lower than Tempe. Buyers can stretch existing budget into a larger home, better neighborhood, or earlier purchase timeline.
- Average income in Mesa matches Tempe. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in Mesa is 56% lower than Tempe. The savings typically free up 56% of monthly take-home for savings or discretionary spending.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Mesa is 18% lower than Tempe. Most households convert the savings into housing upgrades, college savings, or retirement contributions.
- Unemployment in Mesa runs 13% higher than Tempe. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in Mesa and Tempe match. Day-to-day taxable purchases cost the same in both cities.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,320 in Mesa to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Tempe.
How life is different in Tempe vs. Mesa
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Mesa might look different from Tempe in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Tempe | Mesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,587 | 504,258 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Republican 52-48 |
| Summer high | 104ºF | 105ºF |
| Winter low | 42ºF | 40ºF |
| Annual rain | 9" | 10" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 42.36 | 44.67 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Arizona can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 42% of movers in Arizona, vs 33% nationally).
- Mesa is 179% larger in size than Tempe. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, Mesa voted Republican and Tempe voted Democratic.
- Summer highs in Mesa (105°F) match Tempe (104°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Tempe (42°F) and Mesa (40°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Tempe (9 inches) and Mesa (10 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Tempe and Mesa is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime indexes in Mesa (44.67) and Tempe (42.36) are similar. Safety considerations apply at the neighborhood level, not the city level.
Things to do in Mesa
Mesa balances outdoor access, cultural depth, sports culture, and academic presence. The categories below cover the best of each.
Museums in Mesa
- Commemorative Air Force Museum
- Arizona Museum of Natural History
- Mesa Arts Center
- i.d.e.a. Museum
- Mesa Historical Museum
Parks in Mesa
- Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
- Freestone Park
- Riverview Park
- Pioneer Park
Universities in Mesa
- Mesa Community College,
- Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University
- A. T. Still University: Osteopathic Medical School
- CAE Global Academy Phoenix
- Albright College
Final verdict: Tempe to Mesa movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Arizona service. For smaller moves, Mentors Moving & Storage (4.58/5) is the top local choice, with 88.9% positive reviews across 126 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $32 - $3,658, based on our analysis of 97+ Arizona movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Tempe to Mesa
Is moving from Tempe to Mesa considered a long-distance move?
A move from Tempe to Mesa is classified as an intrastate move, governed by Arizona law rather than federal DOT rules for interstate moves. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles by weight and mileage rather than an hourly rate. Confirm your mover holds a valid Arizona intrastate operating authority, not just a USDOT number, before signing.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Mesa?
The cheapest time to move to Mesa is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
How far in advance should I book Tempe-to-Mesa movers?
Book your Tempe to Mesa movers at least 2 months ahead, or 3 months for a summer move since that's peak season. Booking early improves your odds of getting your preferred date and better rates, and some companies offer early-bird discounts. Since this is an intrastate move, same-day or next-day delivery is often available once your booking is confirmed.
How much is a moving truck from Tempe to Mesa?
A rental truck from Tempe to Mesa costs $32 - $80 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $43 - $107 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $57 - $135 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
How much are moving container companies from Tempe to Mesa?
Moving containers from Tempe to Mesa cost $106 - $716 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $344 - $1,016, and a larger home costs $676 - $1,296.
