Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Tempe, AZ
Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Tempe, AZ is a 2243 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 12m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2243 mi Β· 39h 12m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tempe and Port St. Lucie is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Port St. Lucie (75.2Β°F) and Tempe (71.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.42 |
Median household incomes in Port St. Lucie ($78,137) and Tempe ($77,643) are within a few percent (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.
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 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
- 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 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 household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 0.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.1% higher than Port St. Lucie (103.316 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2243 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 2243 mi and the route typically takes 39h 12m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Tempe, AZ.