Key factors that influence moving costs from St. George to Tucson
What to know before moving from St. George to Tucson
Moving from St. George to Tucson comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Tucson is generally more expensive than St. George, itโs 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 | Tucson | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,770 | $1,295 |
Average home value | $501,557 | $327,203 |
Average income (per capita) | $58,508 | $61,749 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,152 | $2,390 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,577 | $6,043 |
Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 7.4% |
Sales tax | 6.75% | 8.7% |
State income tax | 4.95% | 2.5% |
- Rent prices in Tucson are 27% lower than in St. George, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Tucson.
Home prices in Tucson are 34.8% lower than in St. George. - Income in Tucson is 5.5% higher than in St. George, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tucson include University of Arizona, Raytheon Technologies, and State of Arizona.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tucson, since the cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 11.1% higher than in St. George. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Tucson, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 32.0% higher than in St. George.
- The unemployment rate in Tucson is 155.17% higher than in St. George.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the cityโs sales taxes in Tucson are 28.89% higher than in St. George.
- One perk of moving to Tucson 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 $3,331.78 in Tucson 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. Tucson
Tucson | St. George | |
---|---|---|
Population | 542,629 | 180,279 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
Walkability score | 43 | 27 |
Bike friendliness score | 66 | 45 |
Crime Index | 54.43 | 29.02 |
Safety Index | 45.57 | 70.98 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Tucson is about 201% greater than St. George, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Tucson offers better access to buses and trains than St. George, based on public transportation ratings. Tucson has a transit score of 5 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 Tucson means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in St. George. Tucson is considered more walkable than St. George, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 27 out of 100 in St. George. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Tucson 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. Tucson has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while St. George is rated as 45 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Tucson 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 54.43 in Tucson, it is 29.02 in St. George. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Tucson. With a crime index of 45.57, Tucson 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 Tucson 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. Tucson move
- Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
- HOA rules: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs 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 โunregulatedโ 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 companyโs license in Arizona, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Arizona doesnโt 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 Tucson 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-effectivenessโoffered 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 Tucson
With your sights set on "Old Pueblo", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tucson.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Armory Park
- Dunbar Spring
- Old Fort Lowell
- El Presidio
- Sam Hughes
Best neighborhoods for families
- Armory Park
- Broadmoor-Broadway
- Catalina Foothills
- Dunbar Spring
- Sam Hughes
Things to do in Tucson
Now that you've made the move to Arizona, itโs the perfect time to explore Tucson. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Tucson, such as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Pima Air and Space Museum, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, and Franklin Auto Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Agua Caliente Park, Himmel Park, Rillito River Park, and Brandi Fenton Memorial 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 University of Arizona Wildcats (NCAA), Tucson Saguaros (Pecos League), Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), or FC Tucson (USL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from St. George to Tucson?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from St. George to Tucson. Youโll 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 Tucson?
Because spring and fall moves from St. George to Tucson 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 Tucson take?
Covering 531 miles, the move from St. George, UT to Tucson, AZ typically takes one to six days. Some St. George movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTucson can help bridge the gap.