Missouri to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 1,263 mile interstate move from Missouri to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs drier climate), food & health (like St. Louis BBQ vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs spanish, pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis BBQ and St. Louis-style Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 77% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Arizona is 43.38% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Missouri to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Arizona
- Humidity
- Severe winters
- Missouri allergies
- Limited desert landscapes
- Drier climate
- Mild winters
- Less pollen
- Stunning desert vistas
- Extreme summer heat
- No social connections
- Higher cost of living
- Desert terrain
- Four seasons
- Familiar network
- Rich history
- Green landscapes
Pros of moving from Missouri to Arizona
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to a drier climate
- Look forward to moving away from severe winters and moving to Arizona with mild winters
- Swap the Missouri allergies of Missouri for less pollen in Arizona
- Get ready for stunning desert vistas in Arizona
Cons of moving from Missouri to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Missouri to live with extreme summer heat in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a familiar network and have to settle for the con of no social connections
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to a higher cost of living in Arizona
- Swap green landscapes for desert terrain
Missouri vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis BBQ | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | St. Louis-style Ribs | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Gooey Butter Cake | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegetable Tamales |
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 Missouri to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful St. Louis-style Ribs and sumptuous Gooey Butter Cake, 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 Vegetable Tamales of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Bogart's Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like El Guero Canelo, Pizzicletta, and Welcome Chicken + Donuts.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Arizona
Comparison | Missouri | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Spanish, Pueblo Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, basements | Swimming pools, xeriscaped gardens |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and xeriscaped gardens.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Arizona housing costs are 77% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Arizona is 43.38% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Arizona
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Heatwaves, wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 67Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 23Β°F | 68Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Arizona. Arizona gets 46% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and wildfires in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 16 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Arizona
Comparison | Missouri | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.3% | 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.65% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.03% | 8.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Transportation, Manufacturing | Tourism, Technology, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 15% more than those in Missouri
- The COLI in Arizona will be 10% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in AZ is 4.5% compared to 5.3% in MO
- The affluence in Arizona is varied compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
- The poverty level is higher in Arizona compared to moderate poverty in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Missouri and higher in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Arizona
Comparison | Missouri | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Local control varies, with strong Republican presence in rural areas | Mix of Republican and Democratic control, significant urban and suburban Democratic presence |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant Protestant population | Christian majority, diverse religious landscape |
- Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority and a diverse religious landscape
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant Protestant population
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Arizona
Comparison | Missouri | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University University of Kansas | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary St. Louis; Boone Elementary Kansas City; W.W. Keysor Elementary Kirkwood | Knox Gifted Academy Chandler; BASIS Chandler Chandler; Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle St. Louis; Wildwood Middle Wildwood; Crestview Middle Ellisville | BASIS Scottsdale Scottsdale; BASIS Tucson North Tucson; Preparatory Academy Gilbert |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High St. Louis; Kirkwood High Kirkwood | BASIS Scottsdale Scottsdale; University High School Tucson; BASIS Chandler Chandler |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; John Burroughs School St. Louis; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix; Xavier College Preparatory Phoenix; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | MICDS St. Louis; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Christian Brothers College High School St. Louis | Veritas Preparatory Academy Phoenix; Phoenix Country Day School Paradise Valley; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Parkway School District Ladue School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills School District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do Missouri to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,263 miles from Missouri to Arizona 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 Missouri to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Arizona