Things to know before moving from Arizona to Memphis, TN

Cost of living: Arizona vs Memphis, TN

Arizona Memphis
Average rent cost $1,308 $1,299
Average home value $428,711 $143,715
Average income (per capita) $72,581 $48,090
Unemployment rate 4% 8%
State income tax 3% 0%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Memphis and Arizona.
  • Home prices are about 66% lower in Memphis than in Arizona.
  • The average income is about 34% lower in Memphis than in Arizona.
  • Memphis has a higher unemployment rate than Arizona by about 122%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Memphis than in Arizona.

How life is different in Memphis from Arizona

Memphis Arizona
Population 633,104 7,431,344
Political leaning Democratic 51-46 Democrat 56-44
Summer high 91ºF 99ºF
Winter low 30ºF 34ºF
Annual rain 54" 12"
Annual snow 3" 6"
Crime index 77.49 24.89
  • The population of Memphis is approximately 91% lower than the population of Arizona.
  • In the last presidential election, Memphis voted Democratic and Arizona voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Memphis is 91ºF and in Arizona, it’s 99ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Memphis reaches the temperature of 30ºF and Arizona gets down to 34ºF.
  • You can expect about 54 inches of annual rainfall in Memphis vs 12 inches of rainfall in Arizona.
  • In Memphis, it snows about 3 inches annually vs 6 inches of snow in Arizona.
  • Memphis has a higher crime rate than Arizona with a crime index of 77.49 vs 24.89.

Things to do in Memphis

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

Museums in Memphistoggle

  • Graceland
  • National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
  • Stax Museum of American Soul Music
  • Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
  • Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum
  • Mud Island River Park
  • The Children's Museum of Memphis
  • Museum Of Science & History
  • Metal Museum
  • Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
  • The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange
  • Blues Hall of Fame Museum
  • Woodruff-Fontaine House
  • Dixon Gallery & Gardens
  • Fire Museum of Memphis

Parks in Memphistoggle

  • Shelby Farms Park
  • Mud Island River Park
  • Tom Lee Park
  • Levitt Shell
  • Overton Park
  • T. O. Fuller State Park
  • Handy Park
  • Confederate Park
  • Martyrs Park
  • Audubon Park
  • Mississippi Greenbelt Park
  • Court Square
  • Robert R. Church Park
  • Richard & Annette Block Cancer Survivors Park

Sports Teams in Memphistoggle

  • Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
  • Memphis Hustle (NBA G League)

Universities in Memphistoggle

  • University of Memphis
  • Rhodes College
  • Christian Brothers University
  • LeMoyne-Owen College

Other considerations when moving to Memphis, TN

  • Weather: Winter weather comes alternately from the upper Great Plains and the Gulf of Mexico, which can lead to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from Texas (very hot and humid) or the Gulf (hot and very humid). Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year though mainly during the spring months. Large hail, strong winds, flooding and frequent lightning can accompany these storms. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
  • 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 Memphis take?

The time frame for a move from Arizona to Memphis, 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis?

Because of the 1348-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Arizona to Memphis 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 Memphis, TN?

With the summer highs of 91ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Memphis 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 Memphis during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources