Arizona to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,583 mile interstate move from Arizona to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer temperatures vs milder climate), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Hot Chicken), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs colonial, victorian, traditional), 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 Hot Chicken & Memphis BBQ Pork Ribs
- Tennessee housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Tennessee is 12.15% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to Tennessee movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Tennessee
- High summer temperatures
- Limited greenery
- Higher cost of living
- Less seasonal change
- Arid desert environment
- Milder climate
- Lush landscapes
- Lower housing costs
- Distinct seasons
- Rich natural diversity
- More rainy days
- Fewer desert landscapes
- Less culinary variety
- Smaller arts scene
- Far from international borders
- Abundant sunshine
- Stunning desert vistas
- Diverse culinary scene
- Vibrant arts community
- Proximity to Mexico
Pros of moving from Arizona to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to high summer temperatures and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited greenery and moving to Tennessee with lush landscapes
- Swap the higher cost of living in Arizona for lower housing costs in Tennessee
- Get ready for distinct seasons in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Arizona to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from abundant sunshine in Arizona to live with more rainy days in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of stunning desert vistas and have to settle for the con of fewer desert landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse culinary scene and get used to less culinary variety in Tennessee
- Swap a vibrant arts community for a smaller arts scene
Arizona vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Hot Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Memphis BBQ Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Tamales | BBQ 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 Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Hot Chicken of Tennessee. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Memphis BBQ Pork Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Tamales they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and FnB. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Central BBQ, and Loveless Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Tennessee
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Colonial, Victorian, Traditional |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Swimming pools, patios | Large yards, garages |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial, Victorian, and Traditional architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and patios, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and garages.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Tennessee housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Tennessee is 12.15% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Tennessee
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornados, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 75Β°F | 89Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 53 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 6 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 15 degrees cooler than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 40 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Tennessee
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.50% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.37% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Automotive, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Concerning | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 12% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 12% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is modest compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is high in Tennessee compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Arizona and noticeable in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leaning towards purple with a slight Democratic tilt in recent elections | Strongly Republican, especially in statewide and federal elections |
Local Politics | Mix of liberal cities such as Tucson and conservative areas like Mesa | Conservative in rural areas with some liberal pockets in cities like Nashville and Memphis |
Religion | Diverse, with Christianity being predominant. Notable presence of other faiths. | Heavily Christian, particularly Evangelical Protestant. Smaller presence of other religions. |
- Arizona tends to lean swing State, leaning towards purple with a slight Democratic tilt in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican, especially in statewide and federal elections
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as heavily Christian, particularly Evangelical Protestant with a smaller presence of other religions
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christianity being predominant and a notable presence of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Tennessee
Comparison | Arizona | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy (Phoenix) | Lockeland Elementary Design Center (Nashville) New Hope Academy (Franklin) Clovercroft Elementary School (Franklin) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Chandler Archway Classical Academy (Phoenix) | Brentwood Middle School Meigs Middle Magnet School (Nashville) Rucker-Stewart Middle School (Gallatin) |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Chaparral High School (Scottsdale) | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (Nashville) Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (Nashville) Brentwood High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) The McCallie School (Chattanooga) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) The McCallie School (Chattanooga) University School of Nashville |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge School District |
How Much Do Arizona to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 1,583 miles from Arizona to Tennessee will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,100 | 300 ft3 | $7.00 |
1 Bedroom | $3,127 | 450 ft3 | $6.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,175 | 750 ft3 | $6.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,535 | 1100 ft3 | $6.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,880 | 1600 ft3 | $6.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,150 | 1800 ft3 | $6.75 |
Top Arizona to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Tennessee