Moving from Tacoma, WA to Tempe, AZ
Relocating 1425 mi from Tacoma to Tempe is a 27h 5m drive through 5 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.
1425 mi Β· 27h 5m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β NV β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β NV β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Tempe | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.0% cheaper overall in Tempe than Tacoma on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 7.0% under Tacoma β $493,840 β $468,281 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.1Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.0% lower in Tempe than Tacoma.
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 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.1Β°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
Is Tempe more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 7.0% lower than Tacoma (103.316 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe 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 Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1425 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 Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 5.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1425 mi and the route typically takes 27h 5m via US 93 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 7.4% lower 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Tempe, AZ.