Moving from Tallahassee, FL to Tempe, AZ
A 1875 mi cross-country move between Tallahassee and Tempe is 32h 39m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1875 mi Β· 32h 39m 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 90 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tallahassee | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.919 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.471 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.528 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Tempe runs about 10.0% more expensive overall than Tallahassee β RPP 93.919 β 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $291,127 in Tallahassee to $468,281 in Tempe, a 10.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tallahassee +0.2%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tallahassee | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.8" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 68.5Β°F vs 71.8Β°F 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: TALLAHASSEE, FL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tallahassee | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $55,931 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 28 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 10.0% more than Tallahassee at the median β $55,931 β $77,643 on ACS 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 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 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.
- 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 Tallahassee vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $55,931 in Tallahassee β a 38.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tempe more expensive than Tallahassee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 10.0% higher than Tallahassee (103.316 vs 93.919, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance is 1875 mi and the route typically takes 32h 39m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Tallahassee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $291,127 in Tallahassee β a 60.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Tallahassee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 181,050 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tallahassee to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1875 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 Tallahassee.
City profiles: Tallahassee, FL Β· Tempe, AZ.