Moving from Tacoma, WA to Chandler, AZ
It is 1437 mi between Tacoma and Chandler — roughly 27h 20m 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.
1437 mi · 27h 20m by car · AZ → NV → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NV → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, I 84, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Chandler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Chandler at 103.316 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Chandler -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Chandler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 278,123 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $103,691 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 28.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.63 |
Chandler households earn about 7.0% more than Tacoma at the median — $83,857 → $103,691 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chandler 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 Washington 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Chandler compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $524,156 in Chandler vs $493,840 in Tacoma — a 6.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Chandler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,691 in Chandler vs $83,857 in Tacoma — a 23.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chandler, AZ from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1437 mi and the route typically takes 27h 20m via US 93 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chandler compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Chandler MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Chandler?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1437 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chandler more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chandler is 7.0% lower than Tacoma (103.316 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA · Chandler, AZ.