Moving from Tampa, FL to Gilbert, AZ
It is 2141 mi and 37h 29m from Tampa to Gilbert β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2141 mi Β· 37h 29m 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 | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.89 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $374,888 to $572,507 moving to Gilbert.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tampa | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Tampa (74.5Β°F) and Gilbert (71.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.4% β $71,302 β $121,351 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert 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 Gilbert average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Tampa to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2141 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 Gilbert compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Gilbert, AZ from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 2141 mi and the route typically takes 37h 29m 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 Tampa vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $71,302 in Tampa β a 70.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Gilbert more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gilbert is 2.4% higher than Tampa (103.316 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $374,888 in Tampa β a 52.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL Β· Gilbert, AZ.