($1,395) Movers From Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from Sacramento to Phoenix

Moving from Sacramento to Phoenix means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Sacramento than in Phoenix, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Sacramento compares to Phoenix so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Phoenix are 11% lower than in Sacramento, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Phoenix.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 13.8% lower than in Sacramento.
• Income in Phoenix is 18.2% lower than in Sacramento, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Phoenix include the State of Arizona, Walmart, Inc., and Banner Health.
• The cost of living for a single person in Phoenix is 10.8% lower than in Sacramento. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Phoenix is 15.6% lower than in Sacramento.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 14.29% lower than in Sacramento.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 1.71% lower than in Sacramento.
• One perk of moving to Phoenix is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in Sacramento.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,675.83 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Sacramento.

How life is different in Sacramento vs. Phoenix

• The population of Phoenix is about 206% greater than Sacramento, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Phoenix will be about the same as it currently is in Sacramento. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Phoenix neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Sacramento. Based on its score of 41 out of 100, Phoenix isn’t as walkable as Sacramento, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Phoenix, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Sacramento. While Sacramento has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Phoenix earned a 56. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Phoenix as Sacramento. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Phoenix is generally as safe as Sacramento, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Phoenix and Sacramento is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Sacramento vs. Phoenix move

• Weather: The climate is unlikely to affect your move but summers in Phoenix are unsurprisingly very hot with daily averages over 100° F. You should take this into consideration because moving often requires spending many hours outdoors. You should also be sure that air conditioning is set up in your new home before move day, especially if you're moving in the summer.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Arizona 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 Phoenix. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Phoenix

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arizona's Urban Heart", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Phoenix.

Helpful moving resources