Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Tempe, AZ
It is a 50 mi drive, roughly 1h 21m, between Goodyear, AZ and Tempe, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
50 mi · 1h 21m by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 60, US 80 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Goodyear and Tempe sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Tempe ($468,281) sits close to Goodyear ($469,424) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 73.9°F vs 71.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 0.0% less than Goodyear at the median — $101,814 → $77,643 on ACS 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 0.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 50 mi and the route typically takes 1h 21m via I 10 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear 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 50 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 23.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 7.4 in.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Tempe, AZ.