Moving from Mesa, AZ to St. Louis, MO
It is 1445 mi between Mesa and St. Louis β roughly 25h 46m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1445 mi Β· 25h 46m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesa | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.0% cheaper overall in St. Louis than Mesa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Mesa -1.8%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesa | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.8" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature drops 14.3Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E MESA, AZ US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesa | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 8.0% less than Mesa at the median β $78,779 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Mesa vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $78,779 in Mesa β a 29.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Mesa to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1445 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 8.0% lower than Mesa (95.088 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance is 1445 mi and the route typically takes 25h 46m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,600 in the Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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 Mesa.
City profiles: Mesa, AZ Β· St. Louis, MO.