Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Mesa, AZ
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Mesa, AZ is a 2037 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 40m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2037 mi Β· 35h 40m 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 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Mesa and Jacksonville is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Mesa is 3.9% above Jacksonville β $282,895 vs $435,134 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Mesa -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 10.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Jacksonville (71.4Β°F) and Mesa (72.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, E MESA, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 507,478 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $78,779 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Mesa is 3.9% above Jacksonville ($66,981 β $78,779, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesa 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 Florida 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 Mesa 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: Mesa sees only 10.8 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
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2037 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Mesa, AZ from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2037 mi and the route typically takes 35h 40m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,779 in Mesa vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 17.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Mesa compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Mesa MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Mesa compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $435,134 in Mesa vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 53.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Mesa more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesa is 3.9% higher than Jacksonville (103.316 vs 99.484, 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 Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Mesa, AZ.