Moving from Tempe, AZ to Goodyear, AZ
It is a 50 mi drive, roughly 1h 21m, between Tempe, AZ and Goodyear, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
50 mi · 1h 21m by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 60, US 80 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.316 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $468,281 vs $469,424.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Tempe (71.8°F) and Goodyear (73.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.87 |
Goodyear households earn about 0.0% more than Tempe at the median — $77,643 → $101,814 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 0.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 31.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 50 mi and the route typically takes 1h 21m via I 10 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 71.8°F in Tempe (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 8.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 50 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Goodyear, AZ.