($1,192) Movers From Lancaster, CA to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Lancaster to Tempe

Moving from Lancaster to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Lancaster, 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 30% lower than in Lancaster, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• Home prices are the same in Tempe and Lancaster.
• Income in Tempe is 14.2% lower than in Lancaster, so you could earn less 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 113.9% higher than in Lancaster. 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 22.4% higher than in Lancaster.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 65.38% lower than in Lancaster.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 20.98% lower than in Lancaster.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in Lancaster.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,416.93 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lancaster.

How life is different in Lancaster vs. Tempe

• The population of Tempe is about 4% greater than Lancaster, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than Lancaster, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 0 in Lancaster. 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 Lancaster. Tempe is considered more walkable than Lancaster, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 29 out of 100 in Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster is rated as 40 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tempe as Lancaster. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tempe is generally as safe as Lancaster, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Tempe and Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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