($1,556) Movers From St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from St. Paul to Phoenix

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

Check out how St. Paul compares to Phoenix so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Phoenix are 26% higher than in St. Paul, 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 St. Paul.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 47.8% higher than in St. Paul.
• Income in Phoenix is 1.7% higher than in St. Paul, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Phoenix is 34.8% lower than in St. Paul. 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 21.8% higher than in St. Paul.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 34.69% higher than in St. Paul.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 12.96% lower than in St. Paul.
• One perk of moving to Phoenix is paying less in state income taxes, which are 74.62% lower than in St. Paul.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,956.23 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Paul.

How life is different in St. Paul vs. Phoenix

• The population of Phoenix is about 430% greater than St. Paul, 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.
• Getting around Phoenix without a car might be more difficult than in St. Paul. Phoenix has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas St. Paul is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Phoenix neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Paul. Based on its score of 41 out of 100, Phoenix isn’t as walkable as St. Paul, which has a score of 60 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 Phoenix, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Paul. While St. Paul has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, Phoenix earned a 56. 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Phoenix as St. Paul. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Phoenix is generally as safe as St. Paul, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Phoenix isn’t as good as it is in St. Paul, 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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 check the status of a Arizona moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Arizona doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Phoenix. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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 Phoenix

Ready to relocate to "Arizona's Urban Heart"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Phoenix.

Helpful moving resources