($1,490) Movers From St. Louis, MO to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from St. Louis to Tempe

Moving from St. Louis to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than St. Louis, 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 47% higher than in St. Louis, 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. Louis.
  Home prices in Tempe are 175.0% higher than in St. Louis.
• Income in Tempe is 3.0% lower than in St. Louis, 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 109.8% higher than in St. Louis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tempe, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 3.6% higher than in St. Louis.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 14.29% lower than in St. Louis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 16.32% lower than in St. Louis.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.92% lower than in St. Louis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,295.48 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Louis.

How life is different in St. Louis vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 38% less than St. Louis.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tempe will be about the same as it currently is in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tempe isn’t as walkable as St. Louis, which has a score of 66 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than St. Louis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, while St. Louis is rated as 58 out of 100.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than St. Louis based on scores of 42.36 and St. Louis's 69.65, 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 St. Louis, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 30.35 for St. Louis. 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 St. Louis. Tempe has Good air quality, compared to moderate in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis vs. Tempe move

• Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall.
• 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 Tempe. 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 Tempe

Ready to relocate to "Tempe"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Tempe.

Helpful moving resources