($1,461) Movers From San Antonio, TX to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from San Antonio to Tucson

Moving from San Antonio to Tucson comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tucson 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 Tucson are 13% lower than in San Antonio, 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 San Antonio.
  Home prices in Tucson are 31.2% higher than in San Antonio.
• Income in Tucson is 1.1% lower than in San Antonio, 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 8.9% higher than in San Antonio. 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 22.6% higher than in San Antonio.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 94.74% higher than in San Antonio.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 5.45% higher than in San Antonio.
• State income taxes in Tucson are 2.50% higher than in San Antonio.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,268.00 in Tucson 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. Tucson

• Tucson might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 62% less than San Antonio.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in San Antonio. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas San Antonio is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Tucson means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Antonio. Tucson is considered more walkable than San Antonio, with a score of 43 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, Tucson 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. Tucson has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while San Antonio is rated as 45 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tucson 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 54.43 in Tucson, 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 Tucson. With a crime index of 45.57, Tucson 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tucson has better air quality than in San Antonio. Tucson has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Antonio. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Antonio 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