Things to know before moving from Arizona to Chattanooga, TN

Cost of living: Arizona vs Chattanooga, TN

Arizona Chattanooga
Average rent cost $1,308 $1,475
Average home value $428,711 $302,565
Average income (per capita) $72,581 $60,164
Unemployment rate 4% 6%
State income tax 3% 0%
  • Rent is about 13% more expensive in Chattanooga than in Arizona.
  • Home prices are about 29% lower in Chattanooga than in Arizona.
  • The average income is about 17% lower in Chattanooga than in Arizona.
  • Chattanooga has a higher unemployment rate than Arizona by about 56%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Chattanooga than in Arizona.

How life is different in Chattanooga from Arizona

Chattanooga Arizona
Population 181,099 7,431,344
Political leaning Republican 53.8-44.1 Democrat 56-44
Summer high 89ºF 99ºF
Winter low 28ºF 34ºF
Annual rain 51" 12"
Annual snow 2" 6"
Crime index 53.89 24.89
  • The population of Chattanooga is approximately 98% lower than the population of Arizona.
  • In the last presidential election, Chattanooga voted Republican and Arizona voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Chattanooga is 89ºF and in Arizona, it’s 99ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Chattanooga reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Arizona gets down to 34ºF.
  • You can expect about 51 inches of annual rainfall in Chattanooga vs 12 inches of rainfall in Arizona.
  • In Chattanooga, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 6 inches of snow in Arizona.
  • Chattanooga has a higher crime rate than Arizona with a crime index of 53.89 vs 24.89.

Things to do in Chattanooga

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chattanooga.

Museums in Chattanoogatoggle

  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
  • Creative Discovery Museum
  • Coker Museum - Honest Charley
  • Hunter Museum of American Art
  • International Towing and Recovery Museum
  • The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts

Parks in Chattanoogatoggle

  • Coolidge Park Tennessee
  • Riverpark Ross's Landing Park
  • Enterprise South Nature Park
  • Chickamauga Dam
  • Tennessee River Park
  • Miller Plaza Renaissance Park
  • The Main Terrain
  • Park Boynton Park

Sports Teams in Chattanoogatoggle

  • Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League)
  • Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One)

Universities in Chattanoogatoggle

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Chattanooga State Community College
  • Tennessee Temple University
  • University of Tennessee -College of Medicine
  • Richmont Graduate University
  • Virginia College

Other considerations when moving to Chattanooga, TN

  • Weather: May, September and October are the most suitable months for moving in Chattanooga, while you might reconsider your plans in January and July as these are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Arizona to Chattanooga take?

The time frame for a move from Arizona to Chattanooga, TN, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Arizona, the longer the drive time to Chattanooga will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chattanooga from Arizona can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Arizona to Chattanooga?

Because of the 1684-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Arizona to Chattanooga as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chattanooga, TN?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 28ºF, most people move to Chattanooga from Arizona during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chattanooga during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources