Moving from Salem, OR to Goodyear, AZ
A move from Salem, OR to Goodyear, AZ covers 1281 mi and around 24h 4m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1281 mi Β· 24h 4m by car Β· OR β CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, OR 99E, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Eugene, Roseville, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Stockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Goodyear and Salem 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 Goodyear is 0.3% above Salem ($469,424 vs $436,318 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 107Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 7.4" |
Goodyear runs 19.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (54.1Β°F vs 73.9Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
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: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.87 |
Median household income in Goodyear is 0.3% above Salem ($71,900 vs $101,814, ACS 5-year 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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.8Β°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
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $436,318 in Salem β a 7.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $71,900 in Salem β a 41.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 1281 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m via I 5 and OR 99E. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 0.3% lower than Salem (103.316 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1281 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 Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Goodyear, AZ.