Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Tempe, AZ
The 493 mi from Bakersfield to Tempe translate to about 9h 1m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
493 mi Β· 9h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Bakersfield (100.886) and Tempe (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Tempe at $468,281 is 2.4% above Bakersfield at $396,047.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 8.8" |
Climate warms by 6.7Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 71.8Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.42 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 493 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 18.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 493 mi and the route typically takes 9h 1m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 2.4% higher than Bakersfield (103.316 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Tempe, AZ.