Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Goodyear, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Tuscaloosa, AL β Goodyear, AZ cover 1688 mi and about 29h 41m of driving through 6 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.
1688 mi Β· 29h 41m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Goodyear is 17.8% higher than Tuscaloosa, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Goodyear is 17.8% above Tuscaloosa β $228,947 vs $469,424 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 107Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 7.4" |
Climate warms by 9.6Β°F on the annual average β 64.3Β°F β 73.9Β°F.
Goodyear 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: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.87 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 17.8% between Tuscaloosa and Goodyear (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.
Moving between Alabama 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
- 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 Goodyear average 107Β°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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 109.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 1688 mi and the route typically takes 29h 41m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 17.8% higher than Tuscaloosa (103.316 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1688 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 105.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Goodyear, AZ.