($1,424) Movers From Buffalo, NY to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from Buffalo to Phoenix

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

Check out how Buffalo compares to Phoenix so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Phoenix are 41% higher than in Buffalo, 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 Buffalo.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 92.6% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income in Phoenix is 1.7% higher than in Buffalo, 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 8.5% lower than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Phoenix is 8.6% lower than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 30.53% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 1.71% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to Phoenix is paying less in state income taxes, which are 77.06% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,745.08 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. Phoenix

• The population of Phoenix is about 478% greater than Buffalo, 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 Buffalo. Phoenix has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Buffalo is ranked 7. 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 Buffalo. Based on its score of 41 out of 100, Phoenix isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 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 Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 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.
• The crime rate in Phoenix is higher than in Buffalo, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 53.06 in Phoenix, it is 8.0 in Buffalo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Phoenix. With a crime index of 46.94, Phoenix ranks lower in overall safety than Buffalo, whose index is Buffalo's 53.55. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Phoenix and Buffalo is generally the same (Moderate). 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 Buffalo 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: 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 toPhoenix 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 Phoenix

Now that you’ve chosen "Arizona's Urban Heart" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix to check out.

Helpful moving resources