Moving to Arizona: costs, checklist and what to know
Arizona at a glance for movers: West region · largest city Phoenix · capital Phoenix · Mountain time, with no daylight saving time in most of the state time.
Quick facts for moving to Arizona
- Income tax: Arizona taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Arizona Department of Revenue for the current year.
- Sales tax: Arizona's statewide sales tax rate is 5.6%. Arizona calls it a transaction privilege tax; cities and counties add their own.
- Driver's license: Check with the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division) for how long new residents have to switch their driver's license and registration.
- Moving cost example: a 2-bedroom move from Los Angeles to Phoenix (about 430 road miles) runs roughly $690–$1,330 with a rental truck or $2,090–$4,850 with full-service movers, by our estimate.
What to know before moving to Arizona
- Most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so its clock matches California's in summer and Colorado's in winter. The Navajo Nation in the northeast does observe it.
- Phoenix-area summers regularly top 110°F, and monsoon storms run roughly mid-June through September.
- Vehicles pay an annual vehicle license tax based on their value, and cars in the Phoenix and Tucson areas may need an emissions test.
Main cities and metros include Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Flagstaff. Arizona borders California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico.
How much does it cost to move to Arizona?
Estimated costs to move a typical 2-bedroom home (4,000–6,000 lbs) to Phoenix, the largest city in Arizona. Distances are approximate road miles (straight-line distance × 1.2). Packing service, car shipping and storage are not included.
| Moving from | ≈ Miles | Rent a truck | Full-service movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 2,570 | $3,640–$6,870 | $5,510–$12,550 |
| Los Angeles | 430 | $690–$1,330 | $2,090–$4,850 |
| Chicago | 1,740 | $2,490–$4,700 | $4,180–$9,560 |
| Dallas | 1,060 | $1,630–$3,120 | $3,100–$7,120 |
| Atlanta | 1,910 | $2,810–$5,330 | $4,460–$10,180 |
These ranges come from Foyeric's moving cost model, not from quotes or a survey of Arizona moves. Your real price depends on the mover, the season, your exact addresses and how much you ship. Tap a city to open it in the moving cost calculator and adjust it for your home.
Best time to move to Arizona
October through April. In summer, load at dawn and keep people, pets, medications and electronics out of hot trucks.
Across the U.S., summer is the busiest and priciest moving season. Mid-month and mid-week dates are usually easier to book.
Arizona new-resident checklist
For the full timeline, from booking movers to unpacking, use our moving day countdown checklist.
Moving to Arizona: FAQ
How much does it cost to move to Arizona?
It depends mostly on distance and how much you own. By our model, moving a 2-bedroom home about 430 miles from Los Angeles to Phoenix costs roughly $690–$1,330 if you rent a truck or $2,090–$4,850 with full-service movers. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Arizona Department of Revenue for the current year.
What is the sales tax in Arizona?
Arizona's statewide sales tax rate is 5.6%. Arizona calls it a transaction privilege tax; cities and counties add their own.
How long do I have to get a Arizona driver's license after moving?
Arizona doesn't publish a simple day count that we could confirm, so check with the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division) for the current rule and the documents to bring.
When is the best time to move to Arizona?
October through April. In summer, load at dawn and keep people, pets, medications and electronics out of hot trucks.
Sources and accuracy
Tax and license facts on this page should be confirmed with the Arizona Department of Revenue and the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division), which publish the current rules. Rules change, and some cities and counties add their own taxes. Cost figures are model estimates explained on our methodology page. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.