Tucson to Tempe Movers & Costs (2026)
The cost to move from Tucson to Tempe, AZ is $100 - $4,073 for the ~107-mile route, depending on home size and whether you hire full-service movers or go the DIY route.
Local movers such as Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc., moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.66 out of 5 stars across 245 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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November is a low-cost month to move in Tucson
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from Tucson to Tempe?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Tucson to Tempe 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 Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (4.66/5) as the top local pick, followed by Abba & Sons Moving LLC (4.58/5). 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 Tucson to Tempe moves complete in 1 - 2 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 242+ Arizona movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Tucson to Tempe?
Expect to spend between $100 and $4,073* on a Tucson to Tempe move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
The prices below show what each moving service charges across home sizes:
- Full-service movers: $572 - $4,073
- Moving containers: $684 - $1,940
- Rental trucks: $100 - $200
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves include packing, loading, transport, and unloading. Professional packing alone adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers cut costs by handling transport while you load and unload yourself.
- Rental trucks save roughly 30% versus full-service, but require you to drive the route yourself and supply your own labor.
- Using moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $572 - $2,547 | $684 - $1,076 | $100 - $158 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,080 - $2,980 | $886 - $1,538 | $105 - $174 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,411 - $4,073 | $1,111 - $1,940 | $127 - $200 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 242+ Arizona moving companies, and are updated as of November 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 Tucson, AZ movers.
How Tucson to Tempe 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. 13% of Tucson movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 12% 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 22% of Tucson movers handle hot tubs, vs 9% nationally. Top pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. |
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 Tucson to Tempe
Moving from Tucson to Tempe 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. Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.66 out of 5 stars across 245 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Tucson to Tempe
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
4.66 / 5
- Years in Business: 37
- 87% positive reviews
- BBB: A
rating
4.58 / 5
- Years in Business: 17
- 93% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.52 / 5
- Years in Business: 20
- 90% positive reviews
- BBB: A
Our top local picks:
- Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (4.66/5 stars): 86.5% positive customer ratings.
- Abba & Sons Moving LLC (4.58/5 stars): 92.8% positive customer ratings.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.52/5 stars): 90.4% positive customer ratings.
- Smart Move Moving and Storage (4.48/5 stars): 89.4% positive customer ratings.
- Tucson Moving Service (4.36/5 stars): 84.0% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 33 movers in Tucson, drawing on 10,771 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Tucson to Tempe
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.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Arizona moving resources
How does Tempe compare to Tucson?
Cost of living: Tucson vs. Tempe
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.
| Tucson | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,295 | $1,834 |
| Average home cost | $240,428 | $421,086 |
| Average income (per capita) | $54,546 | $77,643 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,390 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,043 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.4% |
| Average sales tax | 8.7% | 8.1% |
Cost-of-living data for Tucson and Tempe comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 242+ Arizona moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Tempe are 42% higher than in Tucson. A renter relocating without a salary increase will see roughly 42% more of monthly income absorbed by housing.
- Home prices in Tempe are 75% higher than Tucson. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Tempe is 42% higher than Tucson. Negotiating a cost-of-living raise is realistic if you're transferring within the same employer.
- Cost of living for one person in Tempe is 127% higher than Tucson. Plan to add roughly 127% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Tempe is 13% higher than Tucson. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
- Unemployment in Tempe runs 27% lower than Tucson. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in Tempe are 7% lower than Tucson. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,810 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Tucson.
How life is different in Tucson vs. Tempe
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Tempe might look different from Tucson in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Tucson | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 542,629 | 180,587 |
| Political leaning | Republican 52-48 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 101ºF | 104ºF |
| Winter low | 38ºF | 42ºF |
| Annual rain | 12" | 9" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 54.43 | 42.36 |
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 25% of movers in Arizona, vs 23% nationally).
- Tempe is 67% smaller in size than Tucson. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
- In the last presidential election, Tempe voted Democratic and Tucson voted Republican.
- Summer highs in Tempe (104°F) match Tucson (101°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Tucson (38°F) and Tempe (42°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Tucson (12 inches) and Tempe (9 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Tucson and Tempe is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime index in Tempe (42.36) is lower than Tucson (54.43). Lower property crime typically translates to lower home insurance premiums and broader housing options.
Things to do in Tempe
Tempe's lifestyle is defined by outdoor recreation, museums and cultural venues, professional and college sports, and a strong university presence. Top destinations in each category appear below.
Museums in Tempe
- AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park
- Tempe History Museum
- Arizona State University Art Museum
- ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery
- Petersen House Museum
Parks in Tempe
- Tempe Town Lake
- Kiwanis Park
- Papago Park
Sports teams in Tempe
- Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA)
Universities in Tempe
- Arizona State University
Final verdict: Tucson to Tempe 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, Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (4.66/5) is the top local choice, with 86.5% positive reviews across 245 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $100 - $4,073, based on our analysis of 242+ Arizona movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Tucson to Tempe
How many movers in Tucson offer labor-only help?
48% of movers in Tucson offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.
Is moving from Tucson to Tempe considered a long-distance move?
A move from Tucson to Tempe 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.
How much is a moving truck from Tucson to Tempe?
A rental truck from Tucson to Tempe costs $109 - $148 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $105 - $174 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $127 - $200 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
Do movers in Arizona offer storage?
60% of movers in Arizona offer storage, including storage-in-transit for when your new place isn't ready when the truck arrives, compared to 60% nationally.
How long does a move from Tucson to Tempe take?
Most moves from Tucson to Tempe take 1 - 2 days from pickup to delivery. Same-day or next-day delivery is common on intrastate routes like this one, and getting your delivery date in writing gives you a binding guarantee. Add 4 - 8 hours for professional packing of a 2 - 3 bedroom home before the truck departs.