Washington to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

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
- Overcast skies
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Constant rain
- Abundant sunshine
- Affordability
- Easier commuting
- Dry climate
- Desert expanses
- Spread out cities
- Lack of variety
- Extreme heat
- 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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Prime Rib | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Veggie Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
| |
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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Craftsman | Spanish Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, Proximity to tech hubs | Sunsets, 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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Heatwaves, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 75°F / 55°F | 104°F / 81°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 46°F / 36°F | 67°F / 46°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 0 |
- 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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 2.59 - 4.50 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93 | 0.66 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5 | 5.6 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Forestry | Tourism, Aerospace, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Concerned | Growing |
- 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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Mixed, with recent trends leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers like Seattle | Conservative rural areas with progressive cities like Tucson and Phoenix |
Religion | Less religious overall; significant non-religious population | More 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
Comparison | Washington | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Cascade 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 Schools | International School Bellevue Odle Middle School Bellevue Islander Middle School Mercer Island | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale Basis Chandler Chandler Basis Tucson North Tucson |
Top 3 High Schools | Bellevue High School Bellevue International School Bellevue Skyline High School Sammamish | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Tucson Basis Peoria Peoria |
Top 3 private high schools | Lakeside 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Mercer 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,018 | 300 ft3 | $6.73 |
1 Bedroom | $3,005 | 450 ft3 | $6.68 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,971 | 750 ft3 | $6.63 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,235 | 1100 ft3 | $6.58 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,444 | 1600 ft3 | $6.53 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,660 | 1800 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.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Washington to Arizona