($1,641) Movers From Olympia, WA to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Olympia to Tempe

Moving from Olympia to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Olympia, it’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:

• Rent prices in Tempe are 3% lower than in Olympia, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tempe.
  Home prices in Tempe are 7.3% lower than in Olympia.
• Income in Tempe is 3.6% lower than in Olympia, so you could earn less 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 119.7% higher than in Olympia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’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 26.3% higher than in Olympia.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 3.57% lower than in Olympia.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 13.83% lower than in Olympia.
• State income taxes in Tempe are 2.50% higher than in Olympia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,590.78 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Olympia.

How life is different in Olympia vs. Tempe

• The population of Tempe is about 225% greater than Olympia, 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.
• Tempe offers better access to buses and trains than Olympia, based on public transportation ratings. Tempe has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Olympia. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tempe means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Olympia. Tempe is considered more walkable than Olympia, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 39 out of 100 in Olympia. A city’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 Olympia 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 Olympia is rated as 59 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tempe is higher than in Olympia, 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 27.95 in Olympia. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tempe. With a crime index of 57.64, Tempe ranks lower in overall safety than Olympia, whose index is Olympia's 62.25. 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 Olympia 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 Olympia vs. Tempe move

• Weather: Tempe has very hot summers and little rainfall.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’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 “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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Arizona, visit 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: 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-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: 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.

Helpful moving resources