Moving from Tempe, AZ to St. Louis, MO
A move from Tempe, AZ to St. Louis, MO 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
| Tempe | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in St. Louis are 8.0% below Tempe β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tempe | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 43.9" |
St. Louis is 13.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (71.8Β°F vs 58.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 8.0% below Tempe ($77,643 vs $55,279, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is St. Louis more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 8.0% lower than Tempe (95.088 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to St. Louis?
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.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Tempe, AZ?
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 household income compare in Tempe vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $77,643 in Tempe β a 28.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ Β· St. Louis, MO.