($1,477) Movers From Chicago, IL to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from Chicago to Tucson

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

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

• Rent prices in Tucson are 37% lower than in Chicago, 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 Chicago.
  Home prices in Tucson are 10.6% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Tucson is 13.7% lower than in Chicago, 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 34.5% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 34.8% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 17.78% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 15.12% lower than in Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.49% lower than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,965.46 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 80% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. 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 Chicago. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 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 Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 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.
• The crime rate in Tucson is higher than in Chicago, 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 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tucson than in Chicago, based on Tucson’s safety index of 45.57 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Tucson and Chicago 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 Chicago 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