Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Tempe, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Sandy Springs, GA β Tempe, AZ cover 1807 mi and about 32h 11m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1807 mi Β· 32h 11m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tempe and Sandy Springs 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
Typical home value in Tempe is 3.3% below Sandy Springs β $691,063 vs $468,281 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 8.8" |
Climate warms by 10.3Β°F on the annual average β 61.5Β°F β 71.8Β°F.
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: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.3% between Sandy Springs and Tempe (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 Georgia 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 (10.3Β°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 far is Tempe, AZ from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 1807 mi and the route typically takes 32h 11m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.3% higher than Sandy Springs (103.316 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1807 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 32.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,817,660 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 Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Tempe, AZ.