Kentucky to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,727 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs pueblo, spanish revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 114% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Arizona is 46.18% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Kentucky to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Arizona
- High humidity
- Severe winters
- Less diverse culture
- Limited outdoor activities
- Lower job growth
- Dry climate
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural diversity
- Ample hiking trails
- Growing job opportunities
- Desert landscape
- Sparse vegetation
- Urban expansion
- Less historical depth
- Scenic horse farms
- Abundant green space
- Quiet living environment
- Deep-rooted traditions
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Arizona
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from severe winters and moving to Arizona with mild winters
- Swap the less diverse culture of Kentucky for rich cultural diversity in Arizona
- Get ready for ample hiking trails in Arizona
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic horse farms in Kentucky to live with a desert landscape in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of abundant green space and have to settle for the con of sparse vegetation
- Time to bid farewell to a quiet living environment and get used to urban expansion in Arizona
- Swap deep-rooted traditions for less historical depth
Kentucky vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegan Burrito |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Kentucky to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burrito of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Ramsey's, Holly Hill Inn, and Mamaw's Polka Dot Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Barrio Queen.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Arizona
Comparison | Kentucky | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Pueblo, Spanish Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Garages | Swimming pools, Desert landscapes |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Spanish Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and desert landscapes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Arizona housing costs are 114% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Arizona is 46.18% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Arizona
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Varies Widely |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 104/81 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 68/46 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10 | 0-25 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Arizona. Arizona gets 47% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 17 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 36 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Arizona
Comparison | Kentucky | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 2.59% - 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.67% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 8.4% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Mining | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Mid-range | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 26% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Arizona will be 15% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.5% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is higher in Arizona compared to mid-range poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Arizona
Comparison | Kentucky | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans conservative, but with competitive Democratic areas, especially in urban centers. | Mixed political landscape, with historical leanings toward conservatism, but recent trends show increasing support for Democratic candidates. |
Local Politics | Local politics has a strong focus on coal mining, agriculture, and rural issues. | Local politics often revolves around issues of immigration, border security, and urban development. |
Religion | Highly religious, with a strong presence of Baptist and other Christian denominations. Kentucky Baptist Convention | More religiously mixed, with significant populations of Catholics, Mormons, and non-religious individuals. Diocese of Phoenix |
- Kentucky tends to lean traditionally conservative but has competitive Democratic areas, especially in urban centers in its political climate.
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as having a mixed political landscape with historical leanings toward conservatism, but recent trends show increasing support for Democratic candidates.
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as more religiously mixed with significant populations of Catholics, Mormons, and non-religious individuals.
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious with a strong presence of Baptist and other Christian denominations.
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Arizona
Comparison | Kentucky | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Brandies Elementary School (Louisville) Ashland Elementary School (Lexington) Highlands Latin School (Louisville) | Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus (Scottsdale) Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence (Gilbert) Khalsa Montessori Elementary School (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Highlands Latin Middle School (Louisville) Beechwood Middle School (Fort Mitchell) The Lexington School (Lexington) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) |
Top 3 High Schools | duPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) The Lexington School (Lexington) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Highlands Latin School (Louisville) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Public Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,727 miles from Kentucky to Arizona will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $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 | $2,182 | 300 ft3 | $7.27 |
1 Bedroom | $3,250 | 450 ft3 | $7.22 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,379 | 750 ft3 | $7.17 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,834 | 1100 ft3 | $7.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,315 | 1600 ft3 | $7.07 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,639 | 1800 ft3 | $7.02 |
Top Kentucky to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Arizona