Movers

Tennessee to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 1,581 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Nashville Hot Chicken vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (traditional, colonial vs ranch, pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Nashville Hot Chicken and Memphis BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Arizona is 13.84% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC

Tennessee to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Arizona

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • High humidity
  • Tornado risk
  • Limited desert landscapes
  • Lacks Grand Canyon
  • Fewer sunny days
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Dry climate
  • Less severe weather
  • Stunning desert vistas
  • Close to Grand Canyon
  • Abundant sunshine

Arizona iconArizona
  • Fewer music festivals
  • Sparser vegetation
  • Higher cost of living
  • Hot summers
  • Different flora and fauna
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Rich musical heritage
  • Lush greenery
  • Lower cost of living
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Diverse wildlife

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry climate
  • Look forward to moving away from tornado risk and moving to Arizona with less severe weather
  • Swap the limited desert landscapes of Tennessee for stunning desert vistas in Arizona
  • Get ready for close access to the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich musical heritage in Tennessee to live with fewer music festivals in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lush greenery and have to settle for the con of sparser vegetation
  • Time to bid farewell to the lower cost of living and get used to the higher cost of living in Arizona
  • Swap four distinct seasons for hot summers

Tennessee vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
Most iconic local food itemNashville Hot ChickenSonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishMemphis BBQCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemBBQ RibsTacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitVegan Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Southern Steak & Oyster
  • Hattie B's Hot Chicken
  • Husk
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • Elote Cafe
  • The Mission
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 Tennessee to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Nashville Hot Chicken of Tennessee for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Memphis BBQ and sumptuous BBQ Ribs, 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 Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Southern Steak & Oyster, Hattie B's Hot Chicken, and Husk. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Elote Cafe, and The Mission.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Arizona

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
Typical Architecture StyleTraditional, ColonialRanch, Pueblo Revival
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 listingLarge yards, proximity to natureSwimming pools, energy efficiency
  • The Traditional and Colonial architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Arizona has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Arizona housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Tennessee with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Arizona is 13.84% more expensive than in Tennessee.

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

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsWildfires, Monsoons
Air QualityModerateVaries; mostly good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/69104/81
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3068/46
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5413
Annual Snowfall (Inches)50.3
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to Arizona. Arizona gets 44% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and monsoons in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 15 degrees warmer than Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 41 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Arizona

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
Avg. Household Income$65,254$74,568
Cost of Living Index88.9101.2
State Income Tax02.59-4.5
Avg. Property Tax0.640.77
Avg. Sales Tax78.4
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, AgricultureHealthcare, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate to High
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLow to ModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 14% more than in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 14% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to AZ, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.59-4.5
  • The affluence in Arizona is moderate to high compared to moderate in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to moderate in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low to moderate in Tennessee and moderate in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Arizona

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
Political Make-upTraditionally RepublicanSwing state
Local PoliticsConservative leanings in rural areasMixture of conservative and liberal in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, Baptist strong presenceChristianity predominant, Catholic strong presence
  • Tennessee tends to lean traditionally 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 predominantly Christianity with a strong Catholic presence
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a strong Baptist presence

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Arizona

ComparisonTennesseeArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
Arizona State University
University of Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLockeland Elementary School (Nashville)
Oak Hill School (Nashville)
Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville)
Basis Scottsdale Primary - East Campus (Scottsdale)
Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler)
Archway Classical Academy (Scottsdale)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMeigs Academic Magnet School (Nashville)
Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Stanford Montessori School (Nashville)
Basis Chandler (Chandler)
Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley)
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentral Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Hume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville)
Tennessee School for the Arts (Nashville)
Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Basis Chandler (Chandler)
Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley)
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
The McCallie School (Chattanooga)
Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix)
Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix)
The Gregory School (Tucson)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFranklin Road Academy (Nashville)
The Webb School (Bell Buckle)
Baylor School (Chattanooga)
Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley)
Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale)
The Gregory School (Tucson)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Kingsport City Schools
Scottsdale Unified School District
Catalina Foothills School District
Chandler Unified School District

How Much Do Tennessee to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 1,581 miles from Tennessee to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,099300 ft3$7.00
1 Bedroom$3,126450 ft3$6.95
2 Bedrooms$5,172750 ft3$6.90
3 Bedrooms$7,5311100 ft3$6.85
4 Bedrooms$10,8741600 ft3$6.80
5+ Bedrooms$12,1431800 ft3$6.75

Top Tennessee to Arizona Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Arizona

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details