Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Tempe, AZ
A 2035 mi cross-country move between Jacksonville and Tempe is 35h 28m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2035 mi · 35h 28m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 99.484 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $282,895 to $468,281 moving to Tempe.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Jacksonville (71.4°F) and Tempe (71.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.42 |
Households in Tempe earn about 3.9% more at the median — 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 Florida 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
- 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 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 Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.9% higher than Jacksonville (103.316 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 2035 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 65.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 47.6 in.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2035 mi and the route typically takes 35h 28m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 15.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 740,520 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 Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Tempe, AZ.