The best local movers for San Francisco to Tempe moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in San Francisco that also handles long-distance moves to Tempe. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 91 local movers in San Francisco who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from San Francisco to Tempe.
- Luigy’s Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Jay’s Small Moves: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0192210
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 02740355
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 190688
Pricing: $140/hr
Years in Business: 17
Alternate Names: Jays Small Moves
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Tempe?
The average hourly rate for movers in California is $128. Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,113 – $4,161 | $746 – $1,844 | $512 – $992 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,194 – $5,953 | $1,316 – $2,744 | $592 – $1,142 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,126 – $7,909 | $1,910 – $3,539 | $706 – $1,414 |
Cost to hire movers from San Francisco to Tempe
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Tempe will cost between $1,113 and $4,161. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from San Francisco to San Francisco will range from $2,194 to $5,953, and a large move from San Francisco to Tempe will cost from $4,126 to $7,909.
Cost of moving containers from San Francisco to Tempe
If you’re moving from San Francisco to Tempe, expect to pay between $746 and $1,844 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,316 up to $2,744. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,910 and $3,539. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Tempe
Renting a moving truck from San Francisco to Tempe is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $512 and $992. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $592 and $1,142. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $706 up to $1,414 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from San Francisco to Tempe

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Tempe
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Tempe runs about 44% higher for singles and -22% higher for families than San Francisco.
Singles spend around $5,433 in San Francisco versus $3,781 in San Francisco; families pay $6,810 compared with $8,717.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Francisco | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $1,900 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $471,494 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $64,080 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 8.1% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- If you’re heading to Tempe from San Francisco, you’ll find that rent is roughly 44% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 62% less in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 53% lower in Tempe compared to San Francisco.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person in Tempe is 44% higher than in San Francisco. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- Choosing to move to Tempe can significantly lower your family’s regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 22% less than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rates of Tempe and San Francisco are very similar, with less than a 5% difference, thus maintaining a consistent employment landscape.
- Sales taxes drop 6% in Tempe compared to San Francisco, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 81% less in Arizona than in California. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between San Francisco and Tempe:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $256.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $70.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $4.75 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $19.17 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $30.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in San Francisco than in Tempe, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Tempe.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Tempe
| San Francisco | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 180,587 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 54 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 75 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 42.36 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 57.64 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Tempe’s population is about 78% less than San Francisco.
- Tempe’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco’s score of 10.
- Tempe is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 54 out of 100 vs San Francisco’s 99 out of 100.
- Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99.
- Tempe’s crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 42.36 compared to San Francisco’s 61.41. This means that Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Tempe is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 57.64 vs San Francisco’s 38.59.
- Air quality in Tempe is Good, and in San Francisco it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco to Tempe move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Arizona doesn’t require moving permits, but it’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Tempe. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
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.
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
Once you’re settled into your new home in Arizona, it’s time to get out and discover what Tempe has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Tempe, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Tempe?
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Tempe?
How long does a move from San Francisco to Tempe take?
Which movers in San Francisco give price breaks?
Who can move pianos or antiques in San Francisco?
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