Texas to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 828 mile interstate move from Texas to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer heat vs more manageable heat), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (ranch vs pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Chicken Fried Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Arizona is 13.04% more expensive than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Texas to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Texas to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Arizona
- High summer heat
- High property taxes
- Humid climate
- Urban sprawl
- Limited mountain views
- More manageable heat
- Lower property taxes
- Dry climate
- Scenic landscapes
- Abundant mountain views
- Less diverse culture
- Smaller job market
- Newer cities
- Desert landscapes
- Sauciness less popular
- Vibrant culture
- Thriving job market
- Rich history
- Varied landscapes
- Famous BBQ
Pros of moving from Texas to Arizona
- Say goodbye to high summer heat and hello to more manageable heat
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Arizona with lower property taxes
- Swap the humid climate of Texas for the dry climate in Arizona
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Arizona
Cons of moving from Texas to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant culture in Texas to live with a less diverse culture in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle with the con of a smaller job market
- Time to bid farewell to the rich history and get used to newer cities in Arizona
- Swap varied landscapes for the desert landscapes
Texas vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken Fried Steak | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Tamales |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Vegetable Tacos |
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 Texas to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Chicken Fried Steak and sumptuous Tacos, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tamales to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Lupe Tortilla, and Kreuz Market. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Elote CafΓ©, Pizzicletta, and Poco & Mom's.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Arizona
Comparison | Texas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Pueblo Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, outdoor kitchens | Energy efficiency, swimming pools |
- The Ranch architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and outdoor kitchens, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and swimming pools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Texas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Texas.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Texas.
- Arizona housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Arizona is 13.04% more expensive than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Arizona
Comparison | Texas | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Monsoons |
Air Quality | Variable/Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 73Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 13" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 0"<br/>(Varies greatly with elevation) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Texas to Arizona. Arizona gets 22% more sunny days than Texas.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, 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 10 degrees warmer than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Arizona
Comparison | Texas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2.59%-4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.80% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 8.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Technology | Tourism, Technology, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Growing | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 3% more than in Texas
- The COLI in Arizona will be 11% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from TX to AZ, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.59%-4.50%
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Texas
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to moderate in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is growing in Texas and stable in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Arizona
Comparison | Texas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Swing state, recently tending toward lean liberal |
Local Politics | Strong Republican presence in rural areas, Democratic in urban areas | Mixed, with a rising Democratic presence in major cities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a significant Evangelical influence | Diverse religious landscape, though Christianity remains major |
- Texas tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently tending toward lean liberal
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, though Christianity remains a major influence
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant Evangelical influence
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Arizona
Comparison | Texas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas Texas A&M University University of Houston | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Academy (Dallas) Hill School (Fort Worth) Walnut Glen Academy (Garland) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Khalsa Montessori Elementary School (Tucson) Fireside Elementary School (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William B Travis Academy (Dallas) Canyon Ridge Middle School (Austin) Fort Settlement Middle School (Sugar Land) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) Paragon Science Academy (Chandler) |
Top 3 High Schools | School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) Carnegie Vanguard High School (Houston) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Markβs School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) St. Stephenβs Episcopal School (Austin) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Village School (Houston) The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Trinity Valley School (Fort Worth) | Tesseract School (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Carroll Independent School District Highland Park Independent School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills Unified School District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do Texas to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 828 miles from Texas to Arizona will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,672 | 300 ft3 | $5.57 |
1 Bedroom | $2,485 | 450 ft3 | $5.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,105 | 750 ft3 | $5.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,965 | 1100 ft3 | $5.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,597 | 1600 ft3 | $5.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,581 | 1800 ft3 | $5.32 |
Top Texas to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Texas to Arizona