Idaho to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 978 mile interstate move from Idaho to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs pueblo, spanish), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Arizona is 18.47% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Idaho to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Arizona
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer cultural events
- Higher property taxes
- Mild winters
- Thriving job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Lower property taxes
- Desert environment
- Busy lifestyle
- Higher crime rates
- Less seasonal variety
- Beautiful landscapes
- Tranquil lifestyle
- Low crime rates
- Seasons variety
Pros of moving from Idaho to Arizona
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Arizona with a thriving job market
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Idaho for a rich cultural scene in Arizona
- Get ready for lower property taxes in Arizona
Cons of moving from Idaho to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Idaho to live with a desert environment in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a tranquil lifestyle and have to settle with the con of a busy lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in Arizona
- Swap seasonal variety for less seasonal variety
Idaho vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Tacos |
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 Idaho to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Fry Bread, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, State and Rove, and The Stone House. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzicletta, El Charro CafΓ©, and Bacanora.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Arizona
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Pueblo, Spanish |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, natural scenery | Swimming pools, desert views |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Spanish architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and natural scenery, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and desert views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Arizona housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Arizona is 18.47% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Arizona
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Wildfires | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good | Varies by Area |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/55Β°F | 104Β°F/81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F/17Β°F | 68Β°F/46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18 inches | 13 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60 inches | 0-1 inches |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Arizona. Arizona gets 45% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and wildfires in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 29 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Arizona
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.93% | 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.75% | 0.62% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.03% | 8.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Food Processing, Manufacturing | Aerospace, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 2% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Arizona will be 11% higher than what you are used to while living in Idaho
- The state income tax in AZ is 4.50% compared to 6.93% in ID
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is high in Arizona compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Arizona
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Predominantly Republican | Mixed, with a slight Democratic lean in recent elections |
Local Politics | Conservative policies and governance | Varies significantly between urban and rural areas |
Religion | Majority Christian, with a significant Mormon population | Diverse, with Christianity being predominant but a greater mix of other faiths |
- Idaho tends to lean predominantly Republican in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a slight Democratic lean in recent elections
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as diverse with Christianity being predominant but a greater mix of other faiths
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian with a significant Mormon population
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Arizona
Comparison | Idaho | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Washington Elementary School (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise) | Hopkins Elementary School (Chandler) Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus (Scottsdale) Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence (Chandler) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) Victory Middle School (Meridian) North Junior High School (Boise) | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Peoria (Peoria) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Borah High School (Boise) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls) Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Moscow School District | Chandler Unified School District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
How Much Do Idaho to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 978 miles from Idaho to Arizona will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,757 | 300 ft3 | $5.86 |
1 Bedroom | $2,613 | 450 ft3 | $5.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,317 | 750 ft3 | $5.76 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,277 | 1100 ft3 | $5.71 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,050 | 1600 ft3 | $5.66 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,092 | 1800 ft3 | $5.61 |
Top Idaho to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Arizona