Arizona to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,726 mile interstate move from Arizona to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs more temperate climate), food & health (like Navajo Taco vs Hot Brown), real estate & housing (southwestern, ranch vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Navajo Taco and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Kentucky is 31.59% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Kentucky movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Kentucky
- Extreme summer heat
- Water shortages
- High cost of living
- Limited green spaces
- More temperate climate
- Abundant rainfall
- Lower cost of living
- Lush landscapes
- Humid summers
- Less diverse scenery
- Fewer major cities
- More seasonal limits
- Sunny weather
- Scenic deserts
- Vibrant urban life
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Arizona to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to a more temperate climate
- Look forward to moving away from water shortages and moving to Kentucky with abundant rainfall
- Swap the high cost of living in Arizona for a lower cost of living in Kentucky
- Get ready for lush landscapes in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Arizona to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunny weather in Arizona to live with humid summers in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic deserts and have to settle for the con of less diverse scenery
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant urban life and get used to fewer major cities in Kentucky
- Swap outdoor activities for more seasonal limits
Arizona vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Navajo Taco | Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Elote | Bourbon Balls |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Barbecue Tempeh |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Navajo Taco of Arizona for the equally delicious Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Elote, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Bourbon Balls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Barbecue Tempeh of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Welcome Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mammy's Kitchen, and Harland Sanders Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Kentucky
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Southwestern, Ranch | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Solar Panels | Large Yards, Porches |
- The Southwestern and Ranch architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and solar panels, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Kentucky housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Kentucky is 31.59% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Kentucky
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Heatwaves, Wildfires | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/73Β°F | 87Β°F/67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F/46Β°F | 43Β°F/23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12.7 | 48.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 32% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and wildfires in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 17 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 36.2 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Kentucky
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 2.9 - 4.5 | 5.0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66 | 0.86 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4 | 6.0 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Aerospace, Mining | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 20% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Kentucky is 13% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in KY is 5.0 compared to 2.9 to 4.5 in AZ
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to notable poverty in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Arizona and minimal in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative/Competitive | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixture of liberal and conservative localities | Mostly conservative localities |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with a significant number of non-religious residents | Strongly Christian, particularly Evangelical and Baptist denominations |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately Conservative/Competitive in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as strongly Christian, particularly Evangelical and Baptist denominations
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant number of non-religious residents
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Kentucky
Comparison | Arizona | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler Basis Oro Valley | Kenwood Station Elementary - Crestwood Greathouse Shryock Traditional - Louisville Rosa Parks Elementary - Lexington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler Basis Peoria Basis Oro Valley | Barret Traditional Middle School - Louisville Beaumont Middle School - Lexington Bowling Green Junior High School - Bowling Green |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Oro Valley Basis Peoria | DuPont Manual High - Louisville Beechwood High School - Fort Mitchell Bowling Green High - Bowling Green |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson | Sacred Heart Academy - Louisville Louisville Collegiate School - Louisville The Lexington School - Lexington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | All Saints' Episcopal Day School - Phoenix Green Fields School - Tucson Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale | The Lexington School - Lexington Kentucky Country Day School - Louisville Sayre School - Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Bowling Green Independent School District |
How Much Do Arizona to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 1,726 miles from Arizona to Kentucky will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,181 | 300 ft3 | $7.27 |
1 Bedroom | $3,249 | 450 ft3 | $7.22 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,378 | 750 ft3 | $7.17 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,832 | 1100 ft3 | $7.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,312 | 1600 ft3 | $7.07 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,636 | 1800 ft3 | $7.02 |
Top Arizona to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Kentucky