($1,557) Movers From Columbus, GA to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from Columbus to Phoenix

Moving from Columbus to Phoenix comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Phoenix is generally more expensive than Columbus, 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 Phoenix are 54% higher than in Columbus, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 160.4% higher than in Columbus.
• Income in Phoenix is 27.7% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Phoenix include the State of Arizona, Walmart, Inc., and Banner Health.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Phoenix, since the cost of living for a single person in Phoenix is 16.1% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Phoenix, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Phoenix is 36.3% higher than in Columbus.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 24.53% higher than in Columbus.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 4.44% lower than in Columbus.
• One perk of moving to Phoenix is paying less in state income taxes, which are 54.46% lower than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,482.12 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Phoenix

• The population of Phoenix is about 677% greater than Columbus, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Phoenix offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Phoenix has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 2 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Phoenix means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Phoenix is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 41 out of 100 versus 25 out of 100 in Columbus. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Phoenix is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Phoenix has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 31 out of 100.
• Phoenix has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 53.06 and Columbus's 72.18, 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 Phoenix than in Columbus, based on Phoenix’s safety index of 46.94 versus 27.82 for Columbus. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Phoenix isn’t as good as it is in Columbus, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Phoenix has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Columbus is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Phoenix move

• Weather: The climate is unlikely to affect your move but summers in Phoenix are unsurprisingly very hot with daily averages over 100° F. You should take this into consideration because moving often requires spending many hours outdoors. You should also be sure that air conditioning is set up in your new home before move day, especially if you're moving in the summer.
• 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arizona's Urban Heart", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Phoenix.

Helpful moving resources