Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Tempe, AZ
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Tempe, AZ is a 2350 mi cross-country relocation — about 42h 8m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2350 mi · 42h 8m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.5% pricier overall in Tempe than Virginia Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 5.5% higher in Tempe than Virginia Beach as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 8.8" |
Tempe runs 12.0°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°F vs 71.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Tempe is 5.5% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 → $77,643, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe 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 Virginia 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 — 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Tempe more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 5.5% higher than Virginia Beach (103.316 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 9.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 2350 mi and the route typically takes 42h 8m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (12.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 46.6 in.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2350 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Tempe, AZ.