($1,360) Movers From Gainesville, FL to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from Gainesville to Tucson

Moving from Gainesville to Tucson comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tucson is generally more expensive than Gainesville, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tucson are 19% lower than in Gainesville, 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 Gainesville.
  Home prices in Tucson are 13.6% higher than in Gainesville.
• Income in Tucson is 4.6% higher than in Gainesville, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tucson include University of Arizona, Raytheon Technologies, and State of Arizona.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tucson, since the cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 38.4% higher than in Gainesville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tucson, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 73.1% higher than in Gainesville.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 68.18% higher than in Gainesville.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 24.29% higher than in Gainesville.
• State income taxes in Tucson are 2.50% higher than in Gainesville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,151.71 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Gainesville.

How life is different in Gainesville vs. Tucson

• The population of Tucson is about 285% greater than Gainesville, 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.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in Gainesville. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Gainesville is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Tucson means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Gainesville. Tucson is considered more walkable than Gainesville, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Gainesville. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tucson and Gainesville are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 66 and 69 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Tucson is higher than in Gainesville, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 54.43 in Tucson, it is 8.0 in Gainesville. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tucson. With a crime index of 45.57, Tucson ranks lower in overall safety than Gainesville, whose index is Gainesville's 52.61. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Tucson and Gainesville is generally the same (Good). 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 Gainesville 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