Moving from Richmond, VA to Tempe, AZ
It is 2243 mi and 40h 2m from Richmond to Tempe — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2243 mi · 40h 2m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.6% above Richmond — 97.858 → 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 8.8" |
Expect 12.9°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: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.6% — $62,671 → $77,643 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 the job market in Tempe compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 5.6% higher than Richmond (103.316 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 2243 mi and the route typically takes 40h 2m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 2243 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 Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 26.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 58.9°F in Richmond (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 45.5 in.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 23.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Tempe, AZ.