($1,429) Movers From San Antonio, TX to Phoenix, AZ

What to know before moving from San Antonio to Phoenix

Moving from San Antonio to Phoenix comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Phoenix is generally more expensive than San Antonio, 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 Phoenix are 13% higher than in San Antonio, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in San Antonio.
  Home prices in Phoenix are 64.9% higher than in San Antonio.
• Income in Phoenix is 3.4% higher than in San Antonio, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Phoenix include the State of Arizona, Walmart, Inc., and Banner Health.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Phoenix, since the cost of living for a single person in Phoenix is 8.0% higher than in San Antonio. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Phoenix, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Phoenix is 6.0% higher than in San Antonio.
• The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 73.68% higher than in San Antonio.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Phoenix, since the city’s sales taxes in Phoenix are 4.24% higher than in San Antonio.
• State income taxes in Phoenix are 2.50% higher than in San Antonio.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,239.29 in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Antonio.

How life is different in San Antonio vs. Phoenix

• The population of Phoenix is about 12% greater than San Antonio, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Phoenix will be about the same as it currently is in San Antonio. 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 Phoenix means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Antonio. Phoenix is considered more walkable than San Antonio, with a score of 41 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in San Antonio. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Phoenix is considered more bike-friendly than San Antonio in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Phoenix has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, while San Antonio is rated as 45 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Phoenix is higher than in San Antonio, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 53.06 in Phoenix, it is 48.06 in San Antonio. 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 Phoenix. With a crime index of 46.94, Phoenix ranks lower in overall safety than San Antonio, whose index is San Antonio's 51.94. 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 Phoenix and San Antonio is generally the same (Moderate). 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 San Antonio vs. Phoenix move

• Weather: The climate is unlikely to affect your move but summers in Phoenix are unsurprisingly very hot with daily averages over 100° F. You should take this into consideration because moving often requires spending many hours outdoors. You should also be sure that air conditioning is set up in your new home before move day, especially if you're moving in the summer.
• 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix

With your sights set on "Arizona's Urban Heart", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Phoenix.

Helpful moving resources