($1,434) Movers From New York City, NY to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from New York City to Tucson

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

Check out how New York City compares to Tucson so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tucson are 70% lower than in New York City, 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 56.5% lower than in New York City.
• Income in Tucson is 20.9% lower than in New York City, 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 57.9% lower than in New York City. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tucson is 59.9% lower than in New York City.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 33.93% lower than in New York City.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 8.75% higher than in New York City.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 77.06% lower than in New York City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,261.66 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.

How life is different in New York City vs. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 93% less than New York City.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in New York City. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas New York City 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 New York City. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as New York City, which has a score of 88 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.
• Tucson and New York City 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tucson as New York City. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tucson is generally as safe as New York City, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Tucson and New York City 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 New York City 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Arizona, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toTucson Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Tucson

Now that you’ve chosen "Old Pueblo" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tucson to check out.

Helpful moving resources