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Arizona to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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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

ConsArizona iconArizona
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Water shortages
  • High cost of living
  • Limited green spaces
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • More temperate climate
  • Abundant rainfall
  • Lower cost of living
  • Lush landscapes

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Humid summers
  • Less diverse scenery
  • Fewer major cities
  • More seasonal limits
Arizona iconArizona
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
Most iconic local food itemNavajo TacoHot Brown
Most popular meat dishCarne AsadaFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemEloteBourbon Balls
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit TacosBarbecue Tempeh
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro CafΓ©
  • Welcome Diner
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Mammy's Kitchen
  • Harland Sanders Cafe
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleSouthwestern, RanchColonial, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingPool, Solar PanelsLarge 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 Arizona’s $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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHeatwaves, WildfiresTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)104Β°F/73Β°F87Β°F/67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)67Β°F/46Β°F43Β°F/23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)12.748.9
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0.322
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
Avg. Household Income$74,568$59,341
Cost of Living Index101.287.8
State Income Tax2.9 - 4.55.0
Avg. Property Tax0.660.86
Avg. Sales Tax8.46.0
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Aerospace, MiningManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyNotableModerate
HomelessnessVisibleMinimal
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
Political Make-upModerately Conservative/CompetitiveConservative
Local PoliticsMixture of liberal and conservative localitiesMostly conservative localities
ReligionChristianity dominant, with a significant number of non-religious residentsStrongly 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

ComparisonArizonaKentucky
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 SchoolsBasis Scottsdale
Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler
Basis Oro Valley
Kenwood Station Elementary - Crestwood
Greathouse Shryock Traditional - Louisville
Rosa Parks Elementary - Lexington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBasis 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 SchoolsBasis Scottsdale
Basis Oro Valley
Basis Peoria
DuPont Manual High - Louisville
Beechwood High School - Fort Mitchell
Bowling Green High - Bowling Green
Top 3 private high schoolsBrophy 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 schoolsAll 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 DistrictsScottsdale 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 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,181300 ft3$7.27
1 Bedroom$3,249450 ft3$7.22
2 Bedrooms$5,378750 ft3$7.17
3 Bedrooms$7,8321100 ft3$7.12
4 Bedrooms$11,3121600 ft3$7.07
5+ Bedrooms$12,6361800 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.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Arizona to Kentucky

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Beginnings Moving Solutions featured image

New Beginnings Moving Solutions

9.32/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Creative Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Creative Moving and Packing, LLC

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details