Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Riverside to Tempe typically costs $1,800–$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 Riverside to Tempe
Moving from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ typically costs $1,800–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 327-mile move from Riverside to Tempe, 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
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,349 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,172 for a 2 bedroom using a moving container.
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,224 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 06, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 04, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 02, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 27, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 19, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 18, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 02, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Riverside to Tempe
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 $7,100.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Riverside.
- 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 Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA guide.
Best Riverside to Tempe movers by type
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Best professional movers from Riverside to Tempe
For a stress-free interstate move from Riverside to Tempe, 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 CA→AZ movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California 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 Riverside to Tempe
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Tempe runs about 111% higher for singles and 22% higher for families than Riverside.
Singles spend around $5,433 in Tempe versus $2,573 in Riverside; families pay $6,810 compared with $5,604.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Riverside | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,163 | $1,900 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,270 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $642,297 | $471,494 |
| Average income (per capita) | $76,755 | $64,080 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,573 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,604 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 8.75% | 8.1% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 20% lower in Tempe than in Riverside, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 27% lower in Tempe than in Riverside.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 17% less in Tempe than in Riverside.
- Plan for higher expenses in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person is 111% more than in Riverside. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Tempe, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 22% more than it is in Riverside.
- Tempe experiences an unemployment rate that is about 24% lower than that of Riverside. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 7% lower in Tempe than in Riverside. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Tempe can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 81% lower in Arizona compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Riverside with Tempe:
| Living Expense | Riverside | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $226.85 | $256.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $46.50 | $70.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.45 | $4.75 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.02 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.00 | $19.17 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $85.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $35.00 | $30.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Riverside than in Tempe, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Riverside than in Tempe.
- Eggs cost more in Riverside than in Tempe.
- Bread costs less in Riverside than in Tempe.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Riverside than in Tempe.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Riverside than in Tempe.
- Gym memberships cost more in Riverside than in Tempe.
How life is different in Riverside vs. Tempe
| Riverside | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,261 | 180,587 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 43 | 54 |
| Bike friendliness score | 49 | 75 |
| Crime index | 40.24 | 42.36 |
| Safety index | 59.76 | 57.64 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Tempe's population is about 43% less than Riverside.
- Tempe's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Riverside's score of 5.
- Tempe is more walkable than Riverside with a score of 54 out of 100 vs Riverside's 43 out of 100.
- With a score of 75 out of 100, Tempe is more bike-friendly than Riverside, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Tempe and Riverside have a similar crime rate with scores of 42.36 and 40.24, respectively.
- Tempe and Riverside have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.64 and 59.76.
- Air quality in Tempe is Good, and in Riverside it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Riverside to Tempe 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: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Arizona 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 Tempe smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Tempe
Now that you've chosen Tempe as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tempe to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cyprus Southwest
- Daley Park
- Kyrene-Superstition
- Mitchell Park West
- University Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Alta Mira
- Dava-Lakeshore
- Meyer Park
- Sandahl
- Tempe Gardens
Things to do in Tempe
After getting comfortable in your new Arizona home, it's time to see what Tempe 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, Tempe offers cultural landmarks like the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Tempe History Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, and ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Tempe Town Lake, Kiwanis Park, and Papago 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 Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Tempe?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Riverside to Tempe are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Riverside are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Riverside to Tempe?
Because spring and fall moves from Riverside to Tempe 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 Riverside to Tempe take?
A move of 327 miles from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ generally takes one to four days. Movers in Riverside sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Tempe is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Riverside?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 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 Riverside offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 42 movers in Riverside have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 34 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 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.
