Quick answer: A move from Bakersfield to Tucson costs $510 – $5,825 and usually takes one to six days. Key factors include your move size, date, and whether you hire pros or do the 594-mile drive yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from Tucson to Bakersfield.
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Best professional movers from Bakersfield to Tucson
Making the long-distnace move from Bakersfield to Tucson is easier when you hire a full-service moving company to handle every stage of the relocation. From packing and loading to delivery and unpacking, they manage the process so you can focus on the bigger picture.
With 5 interstate moving companies in Bakersfield, we’ve put together a list of the top full-service movers to help you make the move to Tucson with ease.
What moving services are available in Bakersfield?
How we chose the best movers CA→AZ movers
Highly rated local moving companies for Bakersfield to Tucson moves
Organizing a move from Bakersfield to Tucson can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Bakersfield known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Bakersfield to Tucson.
- Meathead Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Hansen’s Moving and Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Mentors Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Fit Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Express Moving & Storage : 4.38 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meathead Packers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0130609
Years in Business: 53
DOT #: 2728836
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2911596
Alternate Names: Smooth Move & Smooth Move USA , Excel Relocation Systems
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192218
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3455958
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
Company Info
State license #: 0190666
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 076235
Alternate Names: Express Moving, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield to Tucson?
On average, moving companies in California charge about $128 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,214 – $3,430 | $701 – $1,673 | $473 – $863 |
2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,286 – $5,825 | $1,370 – $2,507 | $510 – $1,004 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,807 – $7,853 | $1,705 – $3,304 | $624 – $1,238 |
Cost to hire movers from Bakersfield to Tucson
When planning a move to Tucson from Bakersfield, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,214 and $3,430. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,286 and $5,825 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,807 to $7,853.
Cost of moving containers from Bakersfield to Tucson
When you’re heading from Bakersfield to Tucson, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $701 and $1,673. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,370 and $2,507. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,705 to $3,304. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from California easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Tucson
A moving rental truck from Bakersfield to Tucson is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $473 to $863. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $510 to $1,004, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Bakersfield to Tucson costs around $624 to $1,238.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Bakersfield to Tucson

What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Tucson
Many movers find Tucson easier on the wallet than Bakersfield – roughly 4% less for singles and 13% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,390 for one person in Tucson versus $2,493 in Bakersfield. For a family of four, it’s $6,043 compared with $6,940.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
Bakersfield | Tucson | |
---|---|---|
Average 1 BR rent | $1,850 | $1,265 |
Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $2,177 |
Average home value | $389,732 | $327,203 |
Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $61,749 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.4% |
Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.7% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- Rent is about 24% less expensive in Tucson than in Bakersfield, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 16% cheaper in Tucson than in Bakersfield.
- You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 16% less in Tucson than in Bakersfield.
- As the cost of living for a single person differs by around 5% between Tucson and Bakersfield, you likely won’t feel a significant change.
- A move to Tucson can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 13% lower compared to Bakersfield.
- Tucson has a higher unemployment rate than Bakersfield by about 25%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are nearly equal in both Tucson and Bakersfield (within a 5% range), so budgeting should not be affected by this change.
- Income taxes are 81% less in Arizona compared to California, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Bakersfield versus Tucson:
Living Expense | Bakersfield | Tucson |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $340.00 | $271.98 |
Cell phone plan | $53.67 | $70.53 |
Dozen eggs | $2.95 | $4.22 |
Loaf of bread | $3.81 | $3.33 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $18.00 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $67.50 | $75.00 |
Gym membership | $36.50 | $35.28 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- Eggs are less expensive in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- Bread is more expensive in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
- Gym memberships cost more in Bakersfield than in Tucson.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Tucson
Bakersfield | Tucson | |
---|---|---|
Population | 909,235 | 542,629 |
Transportation score | 4 | 5 |
Walkability score | 37 | 43 |
Bike friendliness score | 44 | 66 |
Crime index | 58.49 | 54.43 |
Safety index | 41.51 | 45.57 |
Air quality | Good | Good |
- Tucson’s population is about 40% less than Bakersfield.
- Tucson’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Bakersfield’s score of 4.
- Tucson is more walkable than Bakersfield with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Bakersfield’s 37 out of 100.
- With a score of 66 out of 100, Tucson is more bike-friendly than Bakersfield, which has a score of 44 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Tucson’s crime rate is lower than Bakersfield with a score of 54.43 compared to Bakersfield’s 58.49. This means that Tucson neighborhoods are safer than 54.43% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Bakersfield neighborhoods are safer than 58.49%.
- Tucson is considered to be safer than Bakersfield with a safety index of 45.57 vs Bakersfield’s 41.51.
- Air quality in Tucson is Good, and in Bakersfield it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield to Tucson move
- HOA rules: Costs across Bakersfield and Tucson are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Arizona, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Arizona, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tucson. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Tucson
With your sights set on The Old Pueblo, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tucson.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Armory Park
- Dunbar Spring
- Old Fort Lowell
- El Presidio
- Sam Hughes
Best neighborhoods for families
- Armory Park
- Broadmoor-Broadway
- Catalina Foothills
- Dunbar Spring
- Sam Hughes
Things to do in Tucson
With your move to Arizona complete, you can dive right into experiencing Tucson. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Tucson is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Pima Air and Space Museum, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, and The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Agua Caliente Park, Himmel Park, Rillito River Park, and Brandi Fenton Memorial Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an University of Arizona Wildcats (NCAA)Tucson Saguaros (Pecos League)Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)FC Tucson (USL)Tucson Monsoon (IWFL)Tucson Sugar Skulls (IFL) game.
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