($1,413) Movers From San Jose, CA to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from San Jose to Tucson

Moving from San Jose to Tucson means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Jose than in Tucson, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how San Jose compares to Tucson so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tucson are 58% lower than in San Jose, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tucson.
  Home prices in Tucson are 77.5% lower than in San Jose.
• Income in Tucson is 26.0% lower than in San Jose, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tucson include University of Arizona, Raytheon Technologies, and State of Arizona.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 34.9% lower than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 27.7% lower than in San Jose.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 12.12% higher than in San Jose.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 7.25% lower than in San Jose.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in San Jose.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,951.55 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.

How life is different in San Jose vs. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 44% less than San Jose.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in San Jose. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas San Jose is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Tucson neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Jose. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as San Jose, which has a score of 51 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Tucson is considered more bike-friendly than San Jose in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tucson has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while San Jose is rated as 62 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tucson is higher than in San Jose, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 54.43 in Tucson, it is 47.73 in San Jose. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tucson. With a crime index of 45.57, Tucson ranks lower in overall safety than San Jose, whose index is San Jose's 52.27. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tucson has better air quality than in San Jose. Tucson has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Jose. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Jose vs. Tucson move

• Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
• 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 Tucson. 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 Tucson

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Old Pueblo", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tucson.

Helpful moving resources