($1,552) Movers From Atlanta, GA to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from Atlanta to Tucson

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

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

• Rent prices in Tucson are 32% lower than in Atlanta, 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 15.7% lower than in Atlanta.
• Income in Tucson is 6.6% lower than in Atlanta, 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 23.7% lower than in Atlanta. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 22.7% lower than in Atlanta.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 23.33% higher than in Atlanta.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 2.25% lower than in Atlanta.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 54.46% lower than in Atlanta.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,287.81 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Atlanta.

How life is different in Atlanta vs. Tucson

• The population of Tucson is about 9% greater than Atlanta, 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 Atlanta. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Atlanta is ranked 8. 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 Atlanta. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as Atlanta, which has a score of 48 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Tucson is considered more bike-friendly than Atlanta in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tucson has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while Atlanta is rated as 42 out of 100.
• Tucson has a lower crime rate than Atlanta based on scores of 54.43 and Atlanta's 64.23, 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 Atlanta, based on Tucson’s safety index of 45.57 versus 35.77 for Atlanta. 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 Atlanta. Tucson has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Atlanta. 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 Atlanta 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