($1,234) Movers From Santa Ana, CA to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Tempe

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

Check out how Santa Ana compares to Tempe so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tempe are 31% lower than in Santa Ana, 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 Tempe.
  Home prices in Tempe are 44.1% lower than in Santa Ana.
• Income in Tempe is 17.1% lower than in Santa Ana, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tempe is 14.2% lower than in Santa Ana. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 39.0% lower than in Santa Ana.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 22.86% lower than in Santa Ana.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 12.43% lower than in Santa Ana.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in Santa Ana.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,573.66 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.

How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 42% less than Santa Ana.
• Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than Santa Ana, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 7 in Santa Ana. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Tempe neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Santa Ana. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tempe isn’t as walkable as Santa Ana, which has a score of 67 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, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana is rated as 62 out of 100.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Santa Ana based on scores of 42.36 and Santa Ana's 54.17, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tempe than in Santa Ana, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 45.83 for Santa Ana. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tempe has better air quality than in Santa Ana. Tempe has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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