($1,519) Movers From Denver, CO to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Denver to Tempe

Moving from Denver to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Denver, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tempe are 4% lower than in Denver, 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 13.4% lower than in Denver.
• Income in Tempe is 25.4% lower than in Denver, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person in Tempe is 60.2% higher than in Denver. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 17.0% lower than in Denver.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 23.94% lower than in Denver.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 11.48% lower than in Denver.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 54.46% lower than in Denver.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,805.13 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Denver.

How life is different in Denver vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Denver.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tempe will be about the same as it currently is in Denver. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Tempe neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Denver. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tempe isn’t as walkable as Denver, which has a score of 95 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tempe, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Denver. While Denver has a bike-friendliness score of 96 out of 100, Tempe earned a 75. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Denver based on scores of 42.36 and Denver's 47.84, 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 Denver, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 52.16 for Denver. 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 Denver. Tempe has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Denver. 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 Denver 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