Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Tempe, AZ
Cross-country relocations like West Palm Beach, FL β Tempe, AZ 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
| West Palm Beach | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tempe are 9.5% below West Palm Beach 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
Zillow typical home value is 9.5% higher in Tempe than West Palm Beach as of 2026-03.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.8Β°F vs 71.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.42 |
Income steps up 9.5%: $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $77,643 in Tempe.
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 Florida 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.
- 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 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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Tempe?
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 far is Tempe, AZ from West Palm Beach, FL?
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 Tempe compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 9.5% lower than West Palm Beach (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 12.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 17.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Tempe, AZ.