Movers

New York to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 2,382 mile interstate move from New York to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel with Cream Cheese vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (pre-war, high-rise vs pueblo revival, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bagel with Cream Cheese and Beef Pastrami Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Arizona is 23.41% more affordable than in New York
  • Moving from New York to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended New York to Arizona movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Arizona

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Cold winters
  • Heavy traffic
  • Limited space
  • Dense population
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • More affordable housing
  • Mild winters
  • Less congestion
  • Spacious properties
  • Less crowded

Arizona iconArizona
  • Less cultural variety
  • Car-dependent cities
  • Less diverse economy
  • Fewer gourmet options
  • Hot summers
New York iconNew York
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Public transit
  • Job opportunities
  • World-renowned cuisine
  • Four seasons

Pros of moving from New York to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Arizona with mild winters
  • Swap the heavy traffic of New York for less congestion in Arizona
  • Get ready for spacious properties in Arizona

Cons of moving from New York to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural scene in New York to live with less cultural variety in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of public transit and have to settle for the con of car-dependent cities
  • Time to bid farewell to job opportunities and get used to a less diverse economy in Arizona
  • Swap world-renowned cuisine for fewer gourmet options

New York vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Most iconic local food itemBagel with Cream CheeseSonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishBeef Pastrami SandwichCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemHot DogsTacos
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastVegan Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
  • Carmine's Italian Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from New York to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Cream Cheese of New York for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Beef Pastrami Sandwich and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast 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 New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Carmine's Italian Restaurant. 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, Welcome Diner, and Pizzeria Bianco.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Arizona

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Typical Architecture StylePre-war, High-risePueblo Revival, Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingCentral Park views, rooftop accessDesert landscapes, private pools
  • The Pre-war and High-rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo Revival and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference Central Park views and rooftop access, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like desert landscapes and private pools.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Arizona has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Arizona housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Arizona is 23.41% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Arizona

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, BlizzardsWildfires, Flash floods
Air QualityModerateVaries; mostly Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F104Β°F / 81Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)38Β°F / 26Β°F67Β°F / 46Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.9"13.6"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.8"0.3"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from New York to Arizona. Arizona gets 28% more sunshine days than New York.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York and be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flash floods in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 22 degrees warmer than in New York.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 36.3 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Arizona

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Avg. Household Income$79,557$74,568
Cost of Living Index102.8101.2
State Income Tax4.00% - 8.82%2.59% - 4.50%
Avg. Property Tax1.69%0.62%
Avg. Sales Tax8.52%8.40%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, Professional ServicesReal Estate, Retail, Healthcare
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessNotableNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 6% less than in New York
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.50% compared to 4.00% - 8.82% in NY
  • The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to high in New York
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is notable in New York and noticeable in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Arizona

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Political Make-upGenerally DemocraticMixed, leaning Republican
Local PoliticsProgressiveConservative
ReligionDiversePredominantly Christian
  • New York tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and leaning Republican
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Arizona

ComparisonNew YorkArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Columbia University
New York University
Cornell University
University of Arizona
Arizona State University
Northern Arizona University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPS 77 Lower Lab School
NYC; Success Academy Charter School
Brooklyn; PS 172 Beacon School of Excellence
Brooklyn
Basis Scottsdale Primary
Scottsdale; Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence
Chandler; Khalsa Montessori Elementary School
Tucson
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAnderson School
NYC; Jericho Middle School
Jericho; Rye Neck Middle School
Mamaroneck
Basis Chandler
Chandler; Basis Oro Valley
Oro Valley; Basis Peoria
Peoria
Top 3 High SchoolsBronx High School of Science
Bronx; Stuyvesant High School
NYC; Brooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale; Basis Tucson North
Tucson; Basis Oro Valley
Oro Valley
Top 3 private high schoolsTrinity School
NYC; Horace Mann School
Bronx; Collegiate School
NYC
Brophy College Preparatory
Phoenix; Phoenix Country Day School
Paradise Valley; The Gregory School
Tucson
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsHorace Mann School
Bronx; Riverdale Country School
Bronx; Collegiate School
NYC
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale; Veritas Preparatory Academy
Phoenix; Chandler Preparatory Academy
Chandler
Top 3 School DistrictsGreat Neck School District
Great Neck; Jericho Union Free School District
Jericho; Scarsdale Union Free School District
Scarsdale
Scottsdale Unified School District
Scottsdale; Catalina Foothills School District
Tucson; Chandler Unified School District
Chandler

How Much Do New York to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 2,382 miles from New York to Arizona will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,553300 ft3$8.51
1 Bedroom$3,807450 ft3$8.46
2 Bedrooms$6,307750 ft3$8.41
3 Bedrooms$9,1961100 ft3$8.36
4 Bedrooms$13,2951600 ft3$8.31
5+ Bedrooms$14,8671800 ft3$8.26

Top New York to Arizona Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Arizona

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details