Moving from Tempe, AZ to Tallahassee, FL
A 1875 mi cross-country move between Tempe and Tallahassee is 32h 39m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1875 mi Β· 32h 39m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Tallahassee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 93.919 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 87.471 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 78.528 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Tallahassee at 93.919 vs Tempe at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $468,281 to $291,127 moving to Tallahassee.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Tallahassee +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tempe | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 58.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Tempe (71.8Β°F) and Tallahassee (68.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, TALLAHASSEE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 199,696 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $55,931 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 28 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 28.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.39 |
Tallahassee households earn about 9.1% less than Tempe at the median β $77,643 β $55,931 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tallahassee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,350 | $36,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,350 | $49,900 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,450 | $27,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,180 | $29,970 |
| Management Occupations | 12,840 | $84,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Tallahassee average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tallahassee averages 58.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tallahassee, FL from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 1875 mi and the route typically takes 32h 39m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Tallahassee?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1875 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tallahassee more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tallahassee is 9.1% lower than Tempe (93.919 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Tallahassee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,931 in Tallahassee vs $77,643 in Tempe β a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tallahassee compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 181,050 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tallahassee compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,127 in Tallahassee vs $468,281 in Tempe β a 37.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ Β· Tallahassee, FL.