Moving from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ averages from $826 to $6,367 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Tempe, AZ. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Tempe to Houston guide.

Moving 1,169 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Houston to Tempe?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,225 - $4,940 $917 - $2,241 $764 - $1,455
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,701 - $6,367 $1,642 - $3,290 $826 - $1,731
4+ bedrooms $4,548 - $8,547 $2,222 - $4,351 $1,038 - $2,109

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,169 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Houston to Tempe will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Get instant ballpark pricing It's fast, easy, and free

Get instant ballpark pricing. Fast, easy, and free

Who Are The Best Houston to Tempe Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company Quote Rating Price
Safeway Moving
Best Overall Value
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines
American Van Lines
Best industry reputation
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines
International Van Lines
Best customer service
Get A Quote
     
4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Houston to Tempe?

To ship furniture from Houston to Tempe with a mover will cost between $1,225 to $4,940. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $2,701 to $6,367, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Houston to Tempe will cost from $4,548 to $8,547.

How much are moving container companies from Houston to Tempe?

Moving containers from Houston to Tempe will cost you $917 to $2,241 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,642 to $3,290. A larger home will cost $2,222 to $4,351.

How much is a moving truck from Houston to Tempe?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $764 to $1,455. A larger move will cost $826 to $1,731, and a 4+ bedroom move from Houston to Tempe costs from $1,038 to $2,109.

How to ship a car from Houston to Tempe?

If you're moving from Houston to Tempe and need to transport your car, finding a reliable car shipping company is crucial. Look for top-rated Houston to Tempe car shippers and compare quotes and services to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Keep in mind that the type of transport you choose and the size of your vehicle will affect the cost.

Is moving from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ a good idea?

Cost of Living: Houston vs Tempe

Houston Tempe
Average rent cost $1,242 $1,400
Average home value $243,875 $466,013
Average income (per capita) $62,076 $57,994
Cost of Living (single person) $838 $2,510
Cost of Living (family of 4) $2,976 $4,466
Unemployment rate 4.8% 5.0%
Sales Tax 8.25% 8.1%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.5%
  • Rent Prices in Tempe, AZ are 13% higher than in Houston, TX.
  • Home Prices in Tempe, AZ are 91.1% higher than in Houston, TX.
  • Income in Tempe, AZ is 6.6% lower than in Houston, TX.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Tempe, AZ is 199.5% higher than in Houston, TX.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Tempe, AZ is 50.1% higher than in Houston, TX.
  • Unemployment rate in Tempe, AZ is 4.17% higher than in Houston, TX.
  • Sales Taxes in Tempe, AZ are 1.82% lower than in Houston, TX.
  • State Income Taxes in Tempe, AZ are 4.50% higher than in Houston, TX.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $-2,985.7 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Houston.

How is life different in Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ?

Tempe Houston
Population 180,587 2,304,580
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 5
Walkability score 54 47
Bike friendliness score 75 49
Crime Index 48.19 55.87
Safety Index 57.26 36.23
Air Quality Good Good
  • Tempe’s population is about 92% less than Houston.
  • Tempe’s public transportation is not as good as Houston with a score of 8 vs 5.
  • Tempe is more walkable than Houston with a score of 54 vs 47.
  • Tempe is more bike-friendly than Houston with a score of 75 vs 49.
  • Tempe's crime rate is lower than Houston with a score of 48.19 compared to 55.87.
  • Tempe is considered to be safer than Houston with a safety index of 57.26 vs 36.23.
  • Air Quality in Tempe is Good, and in Houston it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Tempe, AZ

  • Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall..
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Arizona does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Tempe. Get started here.
  • Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Houston Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
3 Men Movers Get A Quote      
4.9 overall rating
6805 Sands Point Drive, Houston, TX, 77074
(713) 333-6683
All My Sons Moving & Storage Get A Quote      
4.72 overall rating
9550 West Wingfoot Road, Houston, TX, 77041
(281) 667-0966

Visit our Best Movers in Houston page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Tempe

Moving to The “Tempe”? These are some of the best things to do in your new Arizona home.

  • Mill Avenue District
  • Tempe Town Lake
  • Arizona State University
  • SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
  • Tempe Marketplace
  • Arizona Mills
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Hayden Butte Preserve
  • Papago Park
  • Tempe Diablo Stadium

Get your sports on!

Tempe is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA)

Related articles to your move

Movers and cost

Learn more about Tempe