($1,395) Movers From Salt Lake City, UT to Tucson, AZ

What to know before moving from Salt Lake City to Tucson

Moving from Salt Lake City to Tucson comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tucson is generally more expensive than Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake 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 40.5% lower than in Salt Lake City.
• Income in Tucson is 3.5% lower than in Salt Lake 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tucson, since the cost of living for a single person in Tucson is 10.0% higher than in Salt Lake City. 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 25.2% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• The unemployment rate in Tucson is 146.67% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tucson, since the city’s sales taxes in Tucson are 12.26% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• One perk of moving to Tucson is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.49% lower than in Salt Lake City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,301.10 in Tucson to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Salt Lake City.

How life is different in Salt Lake City vs. Tucson

• The population of Tucson is about 171% greater than Salt Lake City, 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.
• Getting around Tucson without a car might be more difficult than in Salt Lake City. Tucson has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Salt Lake City is ranked 8. 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 Salt Lake City. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, Tucson isn’t as walkable as Salt Lake City, which has a score of 59 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tucson, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Salt Lake City. While Salt Lake City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 out of 100, Tucson earned a 66. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Tucson is higher than in Salt Lake City, 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 34.64 in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City, whose index is Salt Lake City's 65.36. 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 Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake 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: 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