Moving from Tempe, AZ to West Palm Beach, FL
Cross-country relocations like Tempe, AZ β West Palm Beach, FL cover 2285 mi and about 39h 59m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2285 mi Β· 39h 59m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | West Palm Beach | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.5% pricier overall in West Palm Beach than Tempe on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 10.5% lower in West Palm Beach than Tempe as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tempe | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 61.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.8Β°F vs 75.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.37 |
Income steps down 10.5%: $77,643 in Tempe vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach 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 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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
When is the best time to move from Tempe to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2285 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $77,643 in Tempe β a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 2285 mi and the route typically takes 39h 59m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach 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.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach 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 much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $468,281 in Tempe β a 14.7% lower 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 Β· West Palm Beach, FL.