Movers

Washington to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 1,439 mile interstate move from Washington to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like overcast skies vs abundant sunshine), food & health (like Salmon vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (modern, craftsman vs spanish colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Prime Rib, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in Arizona is 2.94% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Washington to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC

Washington to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Arizona

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Overcast skies
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Constant rain
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Abundant sunshine
  • Affordability
  • Easier commuting
  • Dry climate

Arizona iconArizona
  • Desert expanses
  • Spread out cities
  • Lack of variety
  • Extreme heat
Washington iconWashington
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Vibrant city life
  • Cultural diversity
  • Mild summers

Pros of moving from Washington to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to overcast skies and hello to abundant sunshine
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Arizona with affordability
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Washington for easier commuting in Arizona
  • Get ready for a dry climate in Arizona

Cons of moving from Washington to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic landscapes in Washington to live with desert expanses in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant city life and have to settle for the con of spread out cities
  • Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to the lack of variety in Arizona
  • Swap mild summers for extreme heat

Washington vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Most iconic local food itemSalmonChimichanga
Most popular meat dishPrime RibCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemHot DogsTacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVeggie Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • El Charro Café
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • FnB
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Washington to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Prime Rib 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 Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Ray's Boathouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like El Charro Café, Pizzeria Bianco, and FnB.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Arizona

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Typical Architecture StyleModern, CraftsmanSpanish Colonial, Ranch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingGreen spaces, Proximity to tech hubsSunsets, Outdoor living spaces
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and proximity to tech hubs, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like sunsets and outdoor living spaces.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • Arizona has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • Arizona housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Washington's $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in Arizona is 2.94% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesHeatwaves, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)75°F / 55°F104°F / 81°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)46°F / 36°F67°F / 46°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3813
Annual Snowfall (Inches)50
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Arizona. Arizona gets 97% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and floods in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 29 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Arizona

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Avg. Household Income$91,306$74,568
Cost of Living Index104.1101.2
State Income Tax02.59 - 4.50
Avg. Property Tax0.930.66
Avg. Sales Tax6.55.6
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, ForestryTourism, Aerospace, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowerModerate
HomelessnessConcernedGrowing
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 18% less than in Washington
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to AZ, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.59 - 4.50
  • The affluence in Arizona is varied compared to moderate affluence in Washington
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to lower poverty in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Washington and growing in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Arizona

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticMixed, with recent trends leaning Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centers like SeattleConservative rural areas with progressive cities like Tucson and Phoenix
ReligionLess religious overall; significant non-religious populationMore religious; larger Christian community, including Evangelicals and Catholics
  • Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with recent trends leaning Democratic
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as more religious with a larger Christian community including Evangelicals and Catholics
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall with a significant non-religious population

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Arizona

ComparisonWashingtonArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Seattle
Washington State University
Pullman
Western Washington University
Bellingham
University of Arizona
Tucson
Arizona State University
Tempe
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Ridge Elementary
Issaquah
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Kirkland
Sunny Hills Elementary
Sammamish
Basis Scottsdale Primary
Scottsdale
Knox Gifted Academy
Chandler
Archway Classical Academy
Phoenix
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School
Bellevue
Odle Middle School
Bellevue
Islander Middle School
Mercer Island
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale
Basis Chandler
Chandler
Basis Tucson North
Tucson
Top 3 High SchoolsBellevue High School
Bellevue
International School
Bellevue
Skyline High School
Sammamish
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale
Basis Tucson North
Tucson
Basis Peoria
Peoria
Top 3 private high schoolsLakeside School
Seattle
The Overlake School
Redmond
Seattle Preparatory School
Seattle
Brophy College Preparatory
Phoenix
The Gregory School
Tucson
Phoenix Country Day School
Paradise Valley
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Bear Creek School
Redmond
Eastside Preparatory School
Kirkland
Seattle Academy
Seattle
Veritas Preparatory Academy
Phoenix
The Gregory School
Tucson
Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Scottsdale
Top 3 School DistrictsMercer Island School District
Mercer Island
Lake Washington School District
Redmond
Bellevue School District
Bellevue
Scottsdale Unified School District
Scottsdale
Catalina Foothills School District
Tucson
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler

How Much Do Washington to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 1,439 miles from Washington 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,018300 ft3$6.73
1 Bedroom$3,005450 ft3$6.68
2 Bedrooms$4,971750 ft3$6.63
3 Bedrooms$7,2351100 ft3$6.58
4 Bedrooms$10,4441600 ft3$6.53
5+ Bedrooms$11,6601800 ft3$6.48

Top Washington to Arizona Movers

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

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details