Quick answer: For a 1,979-mile move from Detroit to Tempe, expect to spend around $1,350 – $8,173 and five to 16 days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you’re going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from Tempe to Detroit.
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Best professional movers from Detroit to Tempe
A full-service mover can streamline every step of your interstate move from Detroit to Tempe. While they handle the packing, loading, and transportation, you’re free to focus on securing your new home, planning your first few weeks, or just taking a breath before the next chapter begins.
There are 26 interstate moving companies in Detroit, below, you’ll find our top recommendations equipped to get you to Tempe efficiently and with minimal stress.
What moving services are available in Detroit?
How we chose the best movers MI→AZ movers
Top-rated local movers that handle Detroit to Tempe moves
When planning a move from Detroit to Tempe, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Detroit who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Detroit to Tempe.
- Palmer Moving Services: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- White Star Movers, Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Fordson Movers, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC: 4.52 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 114
DOT #: 511993
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: JCAL Holdings, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 624288
Alternate Names: Whitestar Movers, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1673815
Alternate Names: Royal Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Detroit to Tempe?
Movers in Michigan charge per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,430 – $5,079 | $1,242 – $2,953 | $1,199 – $2,383 |
2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,568 – $8,173 | $2,168 – $4,414 | $1,350 – $2,725 |
4+ bedrooms | $6,943 – $12,517 | $2,881 – $5,895 | $1,703 – $3,236 |
Cost to hire movers from Detroit to Tempe
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Detroit to Tempe, you can expect to spend between $1,430 and $5,079. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,568 to $8,173 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Detroit to Tempe typically runs between $6,943 and $12,517.
Cost of moving containers from Detroit to Tempe
When moving from Detroit to Tempe, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,242 and $2,953. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,168 to $4,414. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $2,881 up to $5,895. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Michigan.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Detroit to Tempe
Renting a moving truck Detroit is usually your cheapest option to get to Tempe. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,199 and $2,383. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,350 and $2,725. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,703 and $3,236.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Detroit to Tempe

What to know before moving from Detroit to Tempe
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Tempe runs about 117% higher for singles and 2% higher for families than Detroit.
Singles spend around $5,433 in Detroit versus $2,500 in Detroit; families pay $6,810 compared with $6,687.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
Detroit | Tempe | |
---|---|---|
Average 1 BR rent | $1,325 | $1,900 |
Average 3 BR rent | $2,542 | $2,450 |
Average home value | $73,156 | $471,494 |
Average income (per capita) | $37,761 | $64,080 |
Unemployment rate | 9.06% | 5.4% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 8.1% |
State income tax | 4.25% | 2.5% |
- As you consider relocating to Tempe, note that rent can be roughly 47% more expensive than it is in Detroit; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 545% higher in Tempe than in Detroit.
- Great news! You’ll find the average income is about 70% higher in Tempe compared to Detroit, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person is 117% more than in Detroit. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Tempe and Detroit, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you’ll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- Tempe experiences an unemployment rate that is about 40% lower than that of Detroit. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 35% higher in Tempe than in Detroit. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 41% lower in Arizona compared to Michigan. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Detroit with Tempe:
Living Expense | Detroit | Tempe |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $251.12 | $256.54 |
Cell phone plan | $55.77 | $70.53 |
Dozen eggs | $3.52 | $4.75 |
Loaf of bread | $2.94 | $4.18 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $19.17 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $68.50 | $80.00 |
Gym membership | $43.00 | $30.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Detroit than in Tempe, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Detroit than in Tempe.
- Eggs are less expensive in Detroit than in Tempe.
- Bread costs less in Detroit than in Tempe.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Detroit than in Tempe.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Detroit than in Tempe.
- Gym memberships cost more in Detroit than in Tempe.
How life is different in Detroit vs. Tempe
Detroit | Tempe | |
---|---|---|
Population | 639,111 | 180,587 |
Transportation score | 7 | 8 |
Walkability score | 51 | 54 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 75 |
Crime index | 72.92 | 42.36 |
Safety index | 27.08 | 57.64 |
Air quality | Good | Good |
- Tempe’s population is about 72% less than Detroit.
- Tempe’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Detroit’s score of 7.
- Tempe is more walkable than Detroit with a score of 54 out of 100 vs Detroit’s 51 out of 100.
- With a score of 75 out of 100, Tempe is more bike-friendly than Detroit, which has a score of 52 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Tempe’s crime rate is lower than Detroit with a score of 42.36 compared to Detroit’s 72.92. This means that Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 72.92%.
- Tempe is considered to be safer than Detroit with a safety index of 57.64 vs Detroit’s 27.08.
- Air quality in Tempe is Good, and in Detroit it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Detroit to Tempe move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company’s license by visiting the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Arizona doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Tempe smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Tempe
Now that you’ve chosen Tempe as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tempe to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cyprus Southwest
- Daley Park
- Kyrene-Superstition
- Mitchell Park West
- University Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Alta Mira
- Dava-Lakeshore
- Meyer Park
- Sandahl
- Tempe Gardens
Things to do in Tempe
After getting comfortable in your new Arizona home, it’s time to see what Tempe is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Tempe offers cultural landmarks like the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Tempe History Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, and ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Tempe Town Lake, Kiwanis Park, and Papago Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA) game.
FAQ
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