Things to know before moving from Illinois to Tempe, AZ

Cost of living: Illinois vs Tempe, AZ

Illinois Tempe
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,834
Average home value $249,224 $471,494
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $64,080
Unemployment rate 5% 5%
State income tax 5% 3%
  • Rent is about 56% more expensive in Tempe than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 89% higher in Tempe than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 18% lower in Tempe than in Illinois.
  • Tempe has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 2%.
  • Income taxes are 49% lower in Tempe than in Illinois.

How life is different in Tempe from Illinois

Tempe Illinois
Population 180,587 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 104ºF 86ºF
Winter low 42ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 9" 40"
Annual snow 0" 22"
Crime index 42.36 19.7
  • The population of Tempe is approximately 99% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Tempe voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tempe is 104ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tempe reaches the temperature of 42ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 9 inches of annual rainfall in Tempe vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Tempe, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Tempe has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 42.36 vs 19.7.

Things to do in Tempe

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Tempe.

Museums in Tempetoggle

  • AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park
  • Tempe History Museum
  • Arizona State University Art Museum
  • ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery
  • Petersen House Museum
  • Charles Trumbull Hayden Memorial
  • Legoland Discovery Center
  • Pixypros Selfie Museum
  • The Scene

Parks in Tempetoggle

  • Tempe Town Lake
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Papago Park

Sports Teams in Tempetoggle

  • Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA)

Universities in Tempetoggle

  • Arizona State University

Other considerations when moving to Tempe, AZ

  • 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 Arizona. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Illinois to Tempe take?

The time frame for a move from Illinois to Tempe, AZ, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Tempe will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Tempe from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Tempe?

Because of the 1613-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Tempe as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Tempe, AZ?

With the summer highs of 104ºF and the winter lows of 42ºF, most people move to Tempe from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Tempe during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources