Moving from Tempe, AZ to Garden Grove, CA
Relocating between Tempe, AZ and Garden Grove, CA is a 371 mi drive — 6h 50m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
371 mi · 6h 50m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.9% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $468,281 to $1,013,183 moving to Garden Grove.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 12.5" |
Expect 5.7°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Garden Grove gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.9% higher in Garden Grove than Tempe.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 116.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 9.9% higher than Tempe (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 371 mi and the route typically takes 6h 50m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 371 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Garden Grove?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Garden Grove vs 71.8°F in Tempe (5.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 8.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Garden Grove, CA.