MT to AZ Moving Specialists

Montana to Arizona Moving Guide

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Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,221 mile interstate move from Montana to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Huckleberry vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (ranch, log cabin vs spanish colonial, pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Huckleberry and Bison Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in Arizona is 35.79% more expensive than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Montana to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Montana to Arizona featured image

Top Montana to Arizona Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Montana to Arizona

9.76/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
AAA Soto's Moving featured image

AAA Soto's Moving

9.48/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.80/10
Superb

Montana to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Arizona

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • Rural isolation
  • Limited nightlife
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Mild winters
  • Urban amenities
  • Vibrant entertainment

Arizona iconArizona
  • Desert landscapes
  • Higher living expenses
  • Extreme summer heat
Montana iconMontana
  • Natural beauty
  • Low cost of living
  • Seasonal sports

Pros of moving from Montana to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Arizona with urban amenities
  • Swap the limited nightlife of Montana for vibrant entertainment in Arizona

Cons of moving from Montana to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural beauty in Montana to live with desert landscapes in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living expenses
  • Time to bid farewell to seasonal sports and get used to extreme summer heat in Arizona

Montana vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Most iconic local food itemHuckleberrySonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishBison BurgerCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemElk JerkyTaco Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SaladVegan Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro Cafรฉ
  • Durant's
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช
Abundance of Food Trucks๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš๐Ÿšš
Foodie Scene๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿด
Vegan Friendly๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ

If you're moving from Montana to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Huckleberry of Montana for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Bison Burger and sumptuous Elk Jerky, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Taco Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice 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 Montana eateries like Union Grille, Ford's Drive In, and The Grizzly Bar. 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 Cafรฉ, and Durant's.

When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Arizona

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, Log cabinSpanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival
Walkability๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ
Bikeability๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿšฒ
Urban Lifestyle๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingโ€œBig skiesโ€, โ€œmountain viewsโ€โ€œDesert landscapeโ€, โ€œpoolโ€
  • The Ranch and Log cabin architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference โ€œbig skiesโ€ and โ€œmountain views,โ€ Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like โ€œdesert landscapeโ€ and โ€œpool.โ€
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • Arizona has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • Arizona housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Montanaโ€™s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in Arizona is 35.79% more expensive than in Montana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and Arizona

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Days of Sunshine per Yearโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธ
Avg. Annual Humidity๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ’ฆ
Avg. UV Index๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ
Natural DisastersFloods, WildfiresWildfires, Heatwaves
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (ยฐF)80ยฐF / 45ยฐF104ยฐF / 81ยฐF
Average Winter High/Low (ยฐF)35ยฐF / 17ยฐF68ยฐF / 46ยฐF
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15"13"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)90"0.3"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to Arizona. Arizona gets 59% more sunshine days than Montana.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and wildfires in Montana, 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 24 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 29 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Arizona

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Avg. Household Income$67,631$74,568
Cost of Living Index99.4101.2
State Income Tax6.90%4.50%
Avg. Property Tax0.84%0.66%
Avg. Sales Tax0.00%8.37%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, ConstructionHealthcare, Retail, Technology
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 10% more than those in Montana
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in AZ is 4.50% compared to 6.90% in MT
  • The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Montana
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and higher in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Arizona

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanModerately Republican/Increasing Democratic influence
Local PoliticsRural interests dominateUrban and rural interests
ReligionProtestant & CatholicCatholic & Protestant
  • Montana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Republican with increasing Democratic influence
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as Catholic and Protestant
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Arizona

ComparisonMontanaArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana
Missoula
Montana State University
Bozeman
Rocky Mountain College
Billings
Arizona State University
Tempe
University of Arizona
Tucson
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChief Charlo Elementary
Missoula
Jeannette Rankin Elementary
Missoula
Longfellow Elementary
Bozeman
Basis Scottsdale Primary
Scottsdale
Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy
Phoenix
Cochise Elementary
Scottsdale
Top 3 Middle SchoolsRattlesnake Middle School
Missoula
Sacajawea Middle School
Bozeman
Washington Middle School
Missoula
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale
Great Hearts Academies Chandler Prep
Chandler
Gilbert Classical Academy
Gilbert
Top 3 High SchoolsBozeman High School
Bozeman
Hellgate High School
Missoula
Sentinel High School
Missoula
BASIS Scottsdale
Scottsdale
University High School
Tucson
Desert Vista High School
Phoenix
Top 3 Private High SchoolsFoothills Community Christian School
Great Falls
Billings Central Catholic High School
Billings
Loyola Sacred Heart High School
Missoula
Brophy College Preparatory
Phoenix
Xavier College Preparatory
Phoenix
Notre Dame Preparatory
Scottsdale
Top 3 Private K-12 SchoolsMissoula International School
Missoula
Whitefish Christian Academy
Whitefish
Billings Montessori School
Billings
Phoenix Country Day School
Paradise Valley
Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Scottsdale
All Saintsโ€™ Episcopal Day School
Phoenix
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman Public Schools
Bozeman
Missoula County Public Schools
Missoula
Billings School District 2
Billings
Scottsdale Unified School District
Scottsdale
Chandler Unified District
Chandler
Gilbert Public Schools
Gilbert

How Much Do Montana to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 1,221 miles from Montana 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mr.Buff Personal Mover
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,895300 ft3$6.32
1 Bedroom$2,820450 ft3$6.27
2 Bedrooms$4,662750 ft3$6.22
3 Bedrooms$6,7821100 ft3$6.17
4 Bedrooms$9,7851600 ft3$6.12
5+ Bedrooms$10,9181800 ft3$6.07