Moving from St. Louis, MO to Tempe, AZ
A move from St. Louis, MO to Tempe, AZ covers 1449 mi and around 25h 49m of driving through 5 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.
1449 mi Β· 25h 49m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.7% pricier overall in Tempe than St. Louis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 8.8" |
Tempe runs 13.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.0Β°F vs 71.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Tempe is 8.7% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $77,643, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 Missouri 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 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 (13.8Β°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 far is Tempe, AZ from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1449 mi and the route typically takes 25h 49m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 40.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tempe more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 8.7% higher than St. Louis (103.316 vs 95.088, 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Tempe, AZ.