Key factors that influence moving costs from St. George to Tempetoggle

The cost of St. George movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from St. George to Tempe might cost just $1,366 for a one-bedroom, but up to $7,780 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in St. George, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $458 and $1,127, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from St. George to Tempe

Moving from St. George to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than St. George, itโ€™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:

St. George Tempe
Average rent cost $1,770 $1,834
Average home value $501,557 $471,494
Average income (per capita) $58,508 $64,080
Cost of living (single person) $2,152 $5,433
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,577 $6,810
Unemployment rate 2.9% 5.4%
Sales tax 6.75% 8.1%
State income tax 4.95% 2.5%
  • Rent prices in Tempe are 4% higher than in St. George, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Tempe.
    Home prices in Tempe are 6.0% lower than in St. George.
  • Income in Tempe is 9.5% higher than in St. George, so you could earn more 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 152.5% higher than in St. George. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™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 48.8% higher than in St. George.
  • The unemployment rate in Tempe is 86.21% higher than in St. George.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Tempe are 20.00% higher than in St. George.
  • One perk of moving to Tempe is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.49% lower than in St. George.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,573.88 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. George.

How life is different in St. George vs. Tempe

Tempe St. George
Population 180,587 180,279
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 2
Walkability score 54 27
Bike friendliness score 75 45
Crime Index 42.36 29.02
Safety Index 57.64 70.98
Air Quality Good Good
  • Tempe and St. George have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Arizona easier.
  • Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than St. George, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 2 in St. George. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Tempe means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in St. George. Tempe is considered more walkable than St. George, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 27 out of 100 in St. George. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than St. George in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, while St. George is rated as 45 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Tempe is higher than in St. George, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 42.36 in Tempe, it is 29.02 in St. George. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Tempe. With a crime index of 57.64, Tempe ranks lower in overall safety than St. George, whose index is St. George's 70.98. 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 Tempe and St. George 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 St. George vs. Tempe move

  • Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall.
  • HOA rules: Itโ€™s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโ€™s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an โ€œunregulatedโ€ 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโ€™s license in Arizona, visit the state's public utilities commission
  • Moving permits: While Arizona doesnโ€™t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tempe without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectivenessโ€”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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Tempe

With your sights set on "Tempe", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tempe.

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

Now that you've made the move to Arizona, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore Tempe. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Tempe, such as the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Tempe History Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery, and Petersen House Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Tempe Town Lake, Kiwanis Park, and Papago Park โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Arizona State University Sun Devils (NCAA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from St. George to Tempe?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from St. George to Tempe. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in St. George.

When is the cheapest time to move from St. George to Tempe?

Because spring and fall moves from St. George 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 St. George to Tempe take?

Covering 428 miles, the move from St. George, UT to Tempe, AZ typically takes one to four days. Some St. George movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTempe can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources