Moving from Atlanta, GA to Tempe, AZ
A 1797 mi cross-country move between Atlanta and Tempe is 31h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1797 mi Β· 31h 58m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 9.5Β°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.42 |
Households in Tempe earn about 3.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1797 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 1797 mi and the route typically takes 31h 58m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.3% higher than Atlanta (103.316 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 21.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Tempe, AZ.