($1,702) Movers From Portland, OR to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Portland to Tempe

Moving from Portland to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Portland, 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 20% higher than in Portland, 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 Tempe.
  Home prices in Tempe are 9.8% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Tempe is 25.4% lower than in Portland, 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 111.2% higher than in Portland. 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 12.1% higher than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 21.74% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 8.10% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 74.75% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,337.09 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 72% less than Portland.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tempe will be about the same as it currently is in Portland. 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 Portland. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tempe isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 81 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 Tempe, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 out of 100, Tempe earned a 75. 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.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Portland based on scores of 42.36 and Portland's 57.37, 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 Portland, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 42.63 for Portland. 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 Portland 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 Portland 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