Moving from Tempe, AZ to Miami, FL
It is 2351 mi and 41h 13m from Tempe to Miami — 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.
2351 mi · 41h 13m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.5% 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 10.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $468,281 to $579,564 moving to Miami.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 61°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 57.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Tempe (71.8°F) and Miami (76.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Miami 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, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.5% — $77,643 → $59,390 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Miami?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.1°F in Miami vs 71.8°F in Tempe (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 57.2 in vs 8.8 in.
How far is Miami, FL from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 2351 mi and the route typically takes 41h 13m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miami more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami is 10.5% higher than Tempe (114.155 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 23.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Miami compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 23.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Miami, FL.