Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Tempe, AZ
Relocating between Garden Grove, CA and Tempe, AZ is a 371 mi drive — 6h 50m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
371 mi · 6h 50m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.0% cheaper overall in Tempe than Garden Grove on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 8.8" |
Expect 5.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.0% lower in Tempe than Garden Grove.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 106°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
Is Tempe more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 9.0% lower than Garden Grove (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 53.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 371 mi and the route typically takes 6h 50m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 371 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (5.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Tempe, AZ.