($1,414) Movers From Indianapolis, IN to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Tucson

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

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

• Rent prices in Tucson are 7% lower than in Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis.
  Home prices in Tucson are 48.4% higher than in Indianapolis.
• Income in Tucson is 4.5% higher than in Indianapolis, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 14.8% lower than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 9.4% lower than in Indianapolis.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 32.14% higher than in Indianapolis.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 24.29% higher than in Indianapolis.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 20.63% lower than in Indianapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,557.06 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.

How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 39% less than Indianapolis.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tucson will be about the same as it currently is in Indianapolis. 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.
• Living in Tucson means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Tucson is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tucson is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
• Tucson has a lower crime rate than Indianapolis based on scores of 54.43 and Indianapolis's 60.71, 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 Indianapolis, based on Tucson’s safety index of 45.57 versus 39.29 for Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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