($1,376) Movers From San Francisco, CA to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Tucson

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

Check out how San Francisco compares to Tucson so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tucson are 60% lower than in San Francisco, 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 Tucson.
  Home prices in Tucson are 73.6% lower than in San Francisco.
• Income in Tucson is 54.8% lower than in San Francisco, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tucson include University of Arizona, Raytheon Technologies, and State of Arizona.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 36.8% lower than in San Francisco. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 30.7% lower than in San Francisco.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 37.04% higher than in San Francisco.
• Sales taxes are the same in Tucson and San Francisco.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,896.32 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 33% less than San Francisco.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in San Francisco. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas San Francisco is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Tucson neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Francisco. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as San Francisco, which has a score of 99 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 Tucson, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Francisco. While San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, Tucson earned a 66. 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.
• Tucson has a lower crime rate than San Francisco based on scores of 54.43 and San Francisco's 61.41, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tucson than in San Francisco, based on Tucson’s safety index of 45.57 versus 38.59 for San Francisco. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tucson has better air quality than in San Francisco. Tucson has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Francisco. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Francisco vs. Tucson move

• Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
• 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 Tucson. 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 Tucson

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Old Pueblo", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tucson.

Helpful moving resources