How much do movers cost in Tempe, AZ?

Local Tempe moves are normally charged by the hour for a truck and crew, so the total depends on how much you're moving, stairs or lifts at either end, and how much packing you want the crew to do. Long-distance moves out of Tempe are priced on shipment weight and mileage. Getting two or three written estimates is the only reliable way to see your real price.

Do I need an interstate mover to leave Arizona?

Yes. Any mover crossing a state line must be registered with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number. For a move that stays inside Arizona, a local in-state mover is all you need.

When is the cheapest time to move in Tempe?

Midweek dates in the middle of the month, outside the May-to-September peak, are usually the cheapest. Booking three to six weeks ahead also gives you more choice of crews.

How far in advance should I book Tempe movers?

Four to six weeks is comfortable for a local move. Allow six to eight weeks for a long-distance move or any move landing on a month-end or summer weekend.

Movers in Tempe, AZ

Moving to or from Tempe? See what local and long-distance moves cost, what to check before you book, and get quotes without calling around.

Tempe has an estimated population of 189,834 (US Census Bureau, 2023).

Moving to Tempe: local guidance

Tempe is located in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, centered on Tempe Town Lake along the Salt River. Interstate 10 and US Route 60 both run through the city, and neighborhoods include downtown Tempe near Arizona State University's main campus and the Mill Avenue district. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is close by, just a short drive to the northwest.

Because Arizona State University is centered in Tempe, housing near campus turns over heavily around the academic calendar, and many apartment buildings and complexes have specific leasing and move in procedures. Confirm elevator reservations, loading zones, and any building specific rules with the property manager well ahead of a move in date, especially around the start of fall semester.

Tempe summers are extremely hot, and the National Weather Service Phoenix office issues excessive heat warnings, making early morning moves more practical for much of the year. Arizona State University is the city's dominant institution and largest source of local movers, alongside a growing tech sector. Local moves frequently connect Tempe with Phoenix, Mesa, or Scottsdale.

Sources: City of Tempe, Arizona Department of Transportation, National Weather Service Phoenix, US Census Bureau.

What moving in Tempe actually looks like

Tempe is the 9th largest city we cover in Arizona, home to roughly 2.6% of the state's residents, spread over about 40 square miles of land (US Census Bureau Gazetteer, 2023). In areas built at this density, homes are usually a mix of houses and apartments. As a general rule, stairs, narrow streets and parking on move day tend to affect an hourly quote more than the furniture does, so confirm access at both ends with your mover.

Movers serving Tempe generally cover the surrounding area too, so a quote for Tempe is usually valid for a move to or from nearby towns. Distances below are straight-line, measured between Census centre points.

Chandler, about 9 miles
Paradise Valley, about 11 miles
Gilbert, about 12 miles
Mesa, about 12 miles
Phoenix, about 16 miles
Glendale, about 18 miles

What a move in Tempe costs

A local move inside Tempe is usually quoted hourly: a two- or three-person crew, a truck, and travel time. The size of your home drives the hours, and packing services, stairs, long carries and bulky items such as pianos or safes add to them.

A move from Tempe to another state is priced differently, on the weight of your shipment and the distance it travels, plus any packing, storage or specialty handling. Ask every mover for the estimate type in writing: binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed.

Local move or long-distance move?

Staying inside Arizona? That’s an in-state move and a local crew can handle it. Crossing the Arizona state line makes it an interstate move, which needs a carrier registered with a USDOT number. Our call line routes you to the right kind of mover once you tell us which one you’re doing.

Before you book a Tempe mover

Get at least three written estimates so you can compare like with like.
Check the mover’s USDOT or state licence number and current insurance.
Confirm what valuation coverage is included and what an upgrade costs.
Ask how they handle stairs, lifts, long carries and parking at both ends.
Never pay a large deposit in cash before the truck arrives.

Use the moving checklist

Common questions about moving in Tempe

How much do movers cost in Tempe, AZ?: Local Tempe moves are normally charged by the hour for a truck and crew, so the total depends on how much you're moving, stairs or lifts at either end, and how much packing you want the crew to do. Long-distance moves out of Tempe are priced on shipment weight and mileage. Getting two or three written estimates is the only reliable way to see your real price.
Do I need an interstate mover to leave Arizona?: Yes. Any mover crossing a state line must be registered with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number. For a move that stays inside Arizona, a local in-state mover is all you need.
When is the cheapest time to move in Tempe?: Midweek dates in the middle of the month, outside the May-to-September peak, are usually the cheapest. Booking three to six weeks ahead also gives you more choice of crews.
How far in advance should I book Tempe movers?: Four to six weeks is comfortable for a local move. Allow six to eight weeks for a long-distance move or any move landing on a month-end or summer weekend.

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