Austin, TX to Tempe, AZ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Austin to Tempe typically costs $2,900–$6,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,003 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Austin to Tempe
Moving from Austin, TX to Tempe, AZ typically costs $2,900–$6,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,003-mile move from Austin to Tempe, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $1,039 for a 2 bedroom using a rental truck.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,807 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,303 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 08, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 20, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 09, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 06, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 30, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Austin to Tempe
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,400, but larger homes can run up to $8,800.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Austin.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($700–$2,100) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Tempe, AZ to Austin, TX guide.
Best Austin to Tempe movers by type
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Best professional movers from Austin to Tempe
For a stress-free interstate move from Austin to Tempe, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best TX→AZ movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 291 Texas moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Austin to Tempe
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Tempe runs about 62% higher for singles and -13% higher for families than Austin.
Singles spend around $5,433 in Tempe versus $3,345 in Austin; families pay $6,810 compared with $7,815.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Austin | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,208 | $1,900 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,827 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $508,841 | $471,494 |
| Average income (per capita) | $68,258 | $64,080 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,345 | $5,433 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,815 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.1% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 2.5% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Austin to Tempe, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 7% lower in Tempe than in Austin.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 6% less in Tempe than in Austin.
- Plan for higher expenses in Tempe, since the cost of living for a single person is 62% more than in Austin. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- Moving to Tempe could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 13% less than in Austin.
- The unemployment rate in Tempe is 54% higher compared to Austin, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are similar in Tempe and Austin (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Arizona has a state income tax, while Texas does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Austin with Tempe:
| Living Expense | Austin | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $181.48 | $256.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $61.16 | $70.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.35 | $4.75 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.50 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $19.17 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $62.38 | $30.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Austin than in Tempe, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Austin than in Tempe.
- Eggs are less expensive in Austin than in Tempe.
- Bread costs less in Austin than in Tempe.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Austin than in Tempe.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Austin than in Tempe.
- Gym memberships cost more in Austin than in Tempe.
How life is different in Austin vs. Tempe
| Austin | Tempe | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 974,447 | 180,587 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 42 | 54 |
| Bike friendliness score | 54 | 75 |
| Crime index | 42.91 | 42.36 |
| Safety index | 59.87 | 57.64 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Tempe's population is about 81% less than Austin.
- Tempe's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Austin's score of 5.
- Tempe is more walkable than Austin with a score of 54 out of 100 vs Austin's 42 out of 100.
- With a score of 75 out of 100, Tempe is more bike-friendly than Austin, which has a score of 54 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Tempe and Austin have a similar crime rate with scores of 42.36 and 42.91, respectively.
- Tempe and Austin have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.64 and 59.87.
- Air quality in Tempe is Good, and in Austin it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Austin to Tempe move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 verify a Arizona moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Arizona doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Tempe smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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
Now that you've chosen Tempe as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tempe to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cyprus Southwest
- Daley Park
- Kyrene-Superstition
- Mitchell Park West
- University Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Alta Mira
- Dava-Lakeshore
- Meyer Park
- Sandahl
- Tempe Gardens
Things to do in Tempe
After getting comfortable in your new Arizona home, it's time to see what Tempe is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Tempe offers cultural landmarks like the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Tempe History Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, and ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Tempe Town Lake, Kiwanis Park, and Papago Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Austin to Tempe?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Austin to Tempe are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Austin are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Austin to Tempe?
Because spring and fall moves from Austin to Tempe are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Austin to Tempe take?
A move of 1,003 miles from Austin, TX to Tempe, AZ generally takes two to eight days. Movers in Austin sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Tempe is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Austin?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Austin offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 18 movers in Austin have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 13 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across TX, there are 176 piano movers and 120 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
