($1,680) Movers From Seattle, WA to Tempe, AZ

What to know before moving from Seattle to Tempe

Moving from Seattle to Tempe comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tempe is generally more expensive than Seattle, 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 7% lower than in Seattle, 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 44.0% lower than in Seattle.
• Income in Tempe is 17.7% lower than in Seattle, 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 45.3% higher than in Seattle. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tempe is 30.5% lower than in Seattle.
• The unemployment rate in Tempe is 12.50% higher than in Seattle.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tempe, since the city’s sales taxes in Tempe are 21.74% lower than in Seattle.
• State income taxes in Tempe are 2.50% higher than in Seattle.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,358.02 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How life is different in Seattle vs. Tempe

• Tempe might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Seattle.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tempe will be about the same as it currently is in Seattle. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Tempe neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Seattle. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tempe isn’t as walkable as Seattle, which has a score of 74 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Tempe is considered more bike-friendly than Seattle 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 Seattle is rated as 71 out of 100.
• Tempe has a lower crime rate than Seattle based on scores of 42.36 and Seattle's 58.88, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tempe than in Seattle, based on Tempe’s safety index of 57.64 versus 49.23 for Seattle. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Tempe and Seattle 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 Seattle 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