Moving from Visalia, CA to Tempe, AZ
Relocating 563 mi from Visalia to Tempe is a 10h 20m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
563 mi · 10h 20m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Visalia | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.825 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.446 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.053 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Visalia and Tempe sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tempe run about 3.5% pricier — ZHVI $396,184 → $468,281 (2026-03).
YoY change: Visalia +0.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Visalia | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.3" | 8.8" |
Expect 8.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: VISALIA, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Visalia | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,649 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $79,952 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.3% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.07 | 2.42 |
Household income lines up — $79,952 vs $77,643 on ACS 5-year 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 California 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-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
- 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.
- 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
How does household income compare in Visalia vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $79,952 in Visalia — a 2.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Visalia 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 563 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Visalia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $396,184 in Visalia — a 18.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tempe more expensive than Visalia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.5% higher than Visalia (103.316 vs 99.825, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Visalia, CA?
The driving distance is 563 mi and the route typically takes 10h 20m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Visalia and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 63.1°F in Visalia (8.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 10.3 in.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Visalia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $42,350 in the Visalia MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 168,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Visalia.
City profiles: Visalia, CA · Tempe, AZ.