Arizona to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,263 mile interstate move from Arizona to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs four distinct seasons), food & health (like Chimichanga vs St. Louis-style pizza), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs traditional, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis-style pizza & Kansas City barbecue
- Missouri housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Missouri is 30.26% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Missouri will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Missouri movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Missouri
- Extreme summer heat
- High cost of living
- Limited water resources
- Sparse greenery
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing
- Ample water supply
- Lush landscapes
- Higher humidity
- Less dramatic vistas
- Limited tech jobs
- More traffic congestion
- Abundance of sunshine
- Diverse desert landscapes
- Thriving tech industry
- Well-developed roadways
Pros of moving from Arizona to Missouri
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to four distinct seasons
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Missouri with affordable housing
- Swap the limited water resources of Arizona for the ample water supply in Missouri
- Get ready for lush landscapes in Missouri
Cons of moving from Arizona to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the abundance of sunshine in Arizona to live with the higher humidity in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse desert landscapes and have to settle for the con of less dramatic vistas
- Time to bid farewell to the thriving tech industry and get used to the limited tech jobs in Missouri
- Swap the well-developed roadways for more traffic congestion
Arizona vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | St. Louis-style pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Kansas City barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Navajo Taco | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Tacos | Vegan Barbecue Jackfruit |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Navajo Taco, Missouri residents know they have tasty Kansas City barbecue and Toasted Ravioli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Barbecue Jackfruit of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like El Charro CafΓ©, Pizzeria Bianco, and Reho's. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Gates BBQ, Pi Pizzeria, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Missouri, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Missouri
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Traditional, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Open Floor Plan | Large Yard, Spacious Basement |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference a pool and an open floor plan, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like a large yard and a spacious basement.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Missouri is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Missouri is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Missouri has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Missouri housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased 49% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Missouri is 30.26% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Missouri
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F / 83Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F / 46Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3" | 18" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Missouri. Missouri gets 31% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Missouri has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Missouri.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 17 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 26 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 29 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Missouri
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.5% | 5.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.72% | 0.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4% | 8.7% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Technology, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Visible | Less visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 13% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Missouri will be 9% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in MO is 5.3% compared to 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is high in Missouri compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Arizona and less visible in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Missouri
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative to moderate, recently experiencing more political diversity | Conservative, with a strong Republican presence especially in rural areas |
Local Politics | Democratic leadership in major cities like Phoenix and Tucson | Republican leadership in major cities like Jefferson City and Springfield |
Religion | Christianity predominant, followed by non-religious, other religions | Christianity predominant, stronger Evangelical influence compared to Arizona |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately conservative to moderate, recently experiencing more political diversity in its political climate.
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, with a strong Republican presence especially in rural areas.
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a stronger Evangelical influence compared to Arizona.
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, followed by non-religious and other religions.
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Missouri
Comparison | Arizona | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Missouri Missouri State University University of Missouri-Kansas City |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Basis Chandler | Stonewall Jackson Elementary (St. Louis) Vandeventer Elementary (Columbia) Disney Elementary (Springfield) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler Basis Scottsdale Basis Oro Valley | Pembroke Hill Middle (Kansas City) Ladue Middle (St. Louis) Bernard C. Campbell Middle (Lee's Summit) |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Peoria Basis Tucson North | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St. Louis) Lincoln College Prep High School (Kansas City) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson) | John Burroughs School (St. Louis) Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler) Scottsdale Preparatory Academy (Scottsdale) | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) The Barstow School (Kansas City) Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (Joplin) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chandler Unified School District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Clayton School District Kirkwood School District Parkway School District |
How Much Do Arizona to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 1,263 miles from Arizona to Missouri will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,919 | 300 ft3 | $6.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,855 | 450 ft3 | $6.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,721 | 750 ft3 | $6.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,870 | 1100 ft3 | $6.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,912 | 1600 ft3 | $6.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,061 | 1800 ft3 | $6.15 |
Top Arizona to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Missouri