($1,432) Movers From Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Durham to Tempe

Moving from Durham to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Durham, 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 8% higher than in Durham, 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 Durham.
  Home prices in Tempe are 20.4% higher than in Durham.
• Income in Tempe is 83.8% lower than in Durham, 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 93.8% higher than in Durham. 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 14.6% higher than in Durham.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 31.71% higher than in Durham.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 8.00% higher than in Durham.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 44.44% lower than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,814.84 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 36% less than Durham.
• Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Durham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tempe means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Tempe is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 30 out of 100 in Durham. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than Durham 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 Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Durham based on scores of 42.36 and Durham's 54.72, 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 Durham, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 45.28 for Durham. 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 Tempe and Durham is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Durham vs. Tempe move

• Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Arizona, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toTempe Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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.

Helpful moving resources