Moving from West Jordan, UT to Tempe, AZ
It is 669 mi between West Jordan and Tempe β roughly 12h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
669 mi Β· 12h 35m by car Β· AZ β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 89, I 15, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.4% under West Jordan β $561,836 β $468,281 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 8.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.3Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 2.4% less than West Jordan at the median β $103,960 β $77,643 on 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 Utah 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 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
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 106Β°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 (17.3Β°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 West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 2.4% higher than West Jordan (103.316 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 669 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tempe, AZ from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 669 mi and the route typically takes 12h 35m via US 89 and I 15. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 16.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 25.3% 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 West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Tempe, AZ.