($1,542) Movers From Philadelphia, PA to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Phoenix

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

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

• Rent prices are the same in Phoenix and Philadelphia.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 89.5% higher than in Philadelphia.
• Income in Phoenix is 8.8% lower than in Philadelphia, so you could earn less 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 6.8% lower than in Philadelphia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Phoenix is 15.6% lower than in Philadelphia.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 37.74% lower than in Philadelphia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 7.50% higher than in Philadelphia.
• One perk of moving to Phoenix is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.57% lower than in Philadelphia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,796.93 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Phoenix

• Phoenix and Philadelphia have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Arizona easier.
• Getting around Phoenix without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Phoenix has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. 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 Philadelphia. Based on its score of 41 out of 100, Phoenix isn’t as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 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 Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 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.
• Phoenix has a lower crime rate than Philadelphia based on scores of 53.06 and Philadelphia's 66.09, 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 Phoenix than in Philadelphia, based on Phoenix’s safety index of 46.94 versus 33.91 for Philadelphia. 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 Phoenix isn’t as good as it is in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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