($1,443) Movers From McKinney, TX to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from McKinney to Tucson

Moving from McKinney to Tucson comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tucson is generally more expensive than McKinney, 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 44% lower than in McKinney, 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 35.4% lower than in McKinney.
• Income in Tucson is 6.8% lower than in McKinney, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tucson, since the cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 7.1% higher than in McKinney. 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 23.9% higher than in McKinney.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 23.33% higher than in McKinney.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 5.45% higher than in McKinney.
• State income taxes in Tucson are 2.50% higher than in McKinney.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,212.37 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McKinney.

How life is different in McKinney vs. Tucson

• The population of Tucson is about 178% greater than McKinney, 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.
• Tucson offers better access to buses and trains than McKinney, based on public transportation ratings. Tucson has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 1 in McKinney. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tucson means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in McKinney. Tucson is considered more walkable than McKinney, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 27 out of 100 in McKinney. 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 McKinney 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 McKinney is rated as 42 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tucson is higher than in McKinney, 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 21.48 in McKinney. 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 McKinney, whose index is McKinney's 78.52. 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 McKinney 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 McKinney 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Arizona, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Arizona doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tucson without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Tucson

With your sights set on "Old Pueblo", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tucson.

Helpful moving resources