Moving from Roseville, CA to Tempe, AZ
Relocating 786 mi from Roseville to Tempe is a 14h 21m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
786 mi Β· 14h 21m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Roseville | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Roseville -1.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Roseville | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.0" | 8.8" |
Expect 10.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO METRO AP, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Roseville | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,438 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $117,354 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.1% β $117,354 β $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 California 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°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 household income compare in Roseville vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $117,354 in Roseville β a 33.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Roseville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $644,324 in Roseville β a 27.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Roseville to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Roseville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $55,290 in the Roseville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than Roseville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.1% lower than Roseville (103.316 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Roseville, CA?
The driving distance is 786 mi and the route typically takes 14h 21m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 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 Roseville.
City profiles: Roseville, CA Β· Tempe, AZ.