San Diego, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Diego to Tempe typically costs $1,900–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 356 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Diego to Tempe
Moving from San Diego, CA to Tempe, AZ typically costs $1,900–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 356-mile move from San Diego 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
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,224 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $5,132 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $3,197 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 10, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 19, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 24, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 06, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Diego 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 $1,200, but larger homes can run up to $7,100.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Diego.
- 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 San Diego, CA guide.
Best San Diego to Tempe movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Diego to Tempe
For a stress-free interstate move from San Diego 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 San Diego to Tempe
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Tempe runs about 62% higher for singles and -12% higher for families than San Diego.
Singles spend around $5,433 in Tempe versus $3,346 in San Diego; families pay $6,810 compared with $7,719.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Diego | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,704 | $1,900 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,914 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $1,003,444 | $471,494 |
| Average income (per capita) | $72,963 | $64,080 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,346 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,719 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.75% | 8.1% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 36% lower in Tempe than in San Diego, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 53% lower in Tempe than in San Diego.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 12% less in Tempe than in San Diego.
- Plan for higher expenses in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person is 62% more than in San Diego. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- Moving to Tempe could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 12% less than in San Diego.
- Tempe experiences an unemployment rate that is about 18% lower than that of San Diego. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are similar in Tempe and San Diego (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- 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 San Diego with Tempe:
| Living Expense | San Diego | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $277.55 | $256.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $66.79 | $70.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.26 | $4.75 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.50 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $21.00 | $19.17 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $65.68 | $30.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Diego than in Tempe.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in San Diego than in Tempe.
- Eggs cost more in San Diego than in Tempe.
- Bread is more expensive in San Diego than in Tempe.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Diego than in Tempe.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Diego than in Tempe.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Diego than in Tempe.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Tempe
| San Diego | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 180,587 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 53 | 54 |
| Bike friendliness score | 43 | 75 |
| Crime index | 39.83 | 42.36 |
| Safety index | 60.17 | 57.64 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Tempe's population is about 87% less than San Diego.
- Tempe's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than San Diego's score of 6.
- Tempe and San Diego are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 75 out of 100, Tempe is more bike-friendly than San Diego, which has a score of 43 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Tempe's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 42.36 compared to San Diego's 39.83. This means that Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83%.
- Tempe and San Diego have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.64 and 60.17.
- Air quality in Tempe is Good, and in San Diego it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Diego 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 San Diego to Tempe?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Diego to Tempe are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Diego are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Tempe?
Because spring and fall moves from San Diego 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 San Diego to Tempe take?
A move of 356 miles from San Diego, CA to Tempe, AZ generally takes one to four days. Movers in San Diego 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 San Diego?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Diego, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 1 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 San Diego offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 22 movers in San Diego have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 17 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.
