Moving from Spokane, WA to Tempe, AZ
Relocating 1394 mi from Spokane to Tempe is a 24h 28m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1394 mi Β· 24h 28m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β UT β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β UT β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, US 2 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Spokane and Tempe sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tempe run about 3.0% pricier β ZHVI $395,325 β $468,281 (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 22.0Β°F β 49.8Β°F in Spokane vs 71.8Β°F in Tempe, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.0% higher in Tempe than Spokane.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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 Tempe 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: Tempe sees only 8.8 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 (22.0Β°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 does the job market in Tempe compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 18.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1394 mi and the route typically takes 24h 28m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.0% higher than Spokane (103.316 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1394 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Tempe, AZ.