Moving From San Francisco to Tempe With CA to AZ Interstate Movers

Q: When Is the Best Time of Year to Move From San Francisco to Tempe?

Fall and winter offer more competitive moving prices because availability is more flexible. San Francisco to Tempe moving companies are generally slower between October and February, when school is in session and the holidays approach. Neither city typically experiences snow-related moving delays, but June brings heavy fog to the Bay Area, and Tempe summers are dangerously hot.

Q: Is Tempe, Arizona, a College Town?

Tempe is considered a college town because its community centers around Arizona State University. However, many suburban neighborhoods also accommodate full-time residents who are not college students. The Lakes, Alta Mira, and Warner Estates offer quieter residential settings, while Downtown Tempe, University Heights, and Cyprus Southwest attract college students and young adults.

Q: What Are the Best Moving Companies for Moving From California to Arizona?

Look for moving companies with active U.S. DOT and MC numbers authorizing interstate moves from California to Arizona. Compare customizable moving services, insurance and valuation protection, storage options, custom crating, and furniture disassembly and reassembly. Choose a company that provides a detailed estimate outlining all fees and services without hidden charges.

Q: What Are Red Flags With Movers?

Red flags include a lack of a verifiable San Francisco Bay Area address, an inability to provide a Certificate of Insurance, inactive or invalid license numbers, and non-customizable moving services. Poor or nonexistent customer reviews and requests for large upfront deposits are also warning signs. Avoid signing blank documents or estimates that lack itemized costs, services, and charge caps.

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AMS Relocation’s Bay Area relocation crew will prep your home, pack your belongings, load your household goods onto climate-controlled moving trucks, and transport them 700+ miles when you decide moving from San Francisco to Tempe is your next step.

Our four-wheel dollies, non-abrasive moving blankets, expertly trained packers, and location-specific route planning around US-101 and I-580 congestion ensure a streamlined interstate move from your current California address to your Arizona destination. Our Tempe from San Francisco movers have already completed thousands of residential moves in the United States through our long-standing affiliation with Bekins Van Lines and its nationwide network of long distance moving professionals.

Call our San Francisco to Tempe movers at (650) 284-2931 for a custom free estimate.

What to Expect From Our Movers from San Francisco to Tempe

Our long distance moving team coordinates access to gated communities in San Francisco and communicates directly with building managers of the downtown high-rises.

Your San Francisco to Tempe moving estimate includes a flat rate that covers all costs and services. Your assigned move coordinator answers questions, confirms arrangements, and helps you prep for pick-up. We will guide you through your move from San Francisco to Tempe.

San Francisco to Tempe Moving Services

Our long distance moving crew packs, protects, crates, stores, and transports your household belongings, depending on your selected services.

Protective padding for furniture
Professional packing services
Experience handling antiques and disassembly of large furniture sets
Hand-wrapping fine china & glassware for secure transport
Piano moving knowledge for musicians moving with a grand piano, baby grand, upright, spinet, or keyboard
Containerized storage available for the long term or short term
Specially designed carpeted dollies and ramps for safe loading and unloading
Supplies for self-packing if you opt for a DIY moving approach
Custom crating for fine art and mirrors
Complete inventory of items
Downsizing services and specialized care for moving seniors
Comprehensive valuation protection

Choose a reliable San Francisco to Tempe moving company to protect, pack, store, transport, and deliver your belongings safely and fairly.

AMS Relocation: The Best San Francisco to Tempe Movers

AMS Relocation has delivered quality since 1949 and earned the Bekins Agent of the Year award in 2025. With our BBB Accreditation and certified ProMover status with the American Moving & Storage Association, we have demonstrated our expertise in the moving and storage industry. We’re fully licensed and insured, have the local knowledge to avoid parking fees and compliance issues, and know what San Franciscans expect during a long distance move from San Francisco to Tempe.

Bekins Van Line Silver Certified
2025 Bekins agent of the year
U.S. DOT No. 2256609, MC No. 770031, CAL PUCT168138
Hundreds of positive moving reviews

How Much Does It Cost to Move From San Francisco to Tempe?

The cost to move from San Francisco to Tempe depends on the shipment size, packing and storage needs, access conditions, and the season. Request an estimate based on your inventory for the most accurate answer.

Apartment moves – Since apartments are typically smaller than homes, it’s typically less expensive than moving an entire home to Tempe. However, you’ll need to account for elevator reservation fees, long carry times, and move-out fees. You will not have to pack your items, prep your rental, coordinate with landlords, lift anything, or transport your items; your moving team will handle everything.
Moving a house from San Francisco to Tempe: Since the final price depends mostly on shipment weight, a house often costs more because it has more contents.

If you DIY the move with a moving truck, your costs will be much lower, but you will have to coordinate everything, prep your belongings, pack everything, load the truck, drive to Tempe, and unload when you arrive. It’s a lot of work and not cheap. Moving a three-bedroom home to Tempe on your own will still cost thousands of dollars.

Factors Affecting San Francisco Long Distance Moving Costs

We price our long distance moves at a flat rate, with dedicated crews and trucks available for an additional cost. Once we determine the volume of your goods and account for any specialty services, you will receive a San Francisco to Tempe moving quote that clearly outlines all costs, including fuel charges and supply usage.

How Long Does It Take to Move From San Francisco to Tempe?

It can take anywhere from 2 to 3 days to a week-plus to move from San Francisco to Tempe.

A professional moving company can pack your home, get on the road the same day, and have everything unloaded and unpacked in about 2 to 3 days. Tempe, Arizona, is located over 700 miles from San Francisco and requires 12 hours of driving time alone.

If you’re driving a rental truck for a DIY move, many people split the drive into two days. With packing, pit stops, unpacking, and more, a DIY move from San Francisco to Tempe can take anywhere from 2 to 5 days.

Moving to Tempe

Living in Tempe, AZ, is vibrant, with a community centered around Arizona State University. Its proximity to Phoenix and easy access to Scottsdale and Mesa attracts young adults, reflected in the median age of 30.5. Tempe’s 190,113 residents enjoy outdoor recreation at Papago Park and Hayden Butte, plus the bustling nightlife along Mill Avenue.

What to Expect When Moving From San Francisco to Tempe

Tempe and San Francisco are very different; according to Census data, Tempe has 637,413 fewer residents than San Francisco. It’s far less diverse, with 49% of residents White (non-Hispanic or Latino), compared to 36% in SF. Tempe is more affordable, too, with a median home value of $488,600 compared to San Francisco’s $1,314,700.

Climate: Tempe is hotter and drier.

- - The köppen climate classification for Tempe AZ, is BWh (a hot desert climate); San Francisco’s is Csb, a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Tempe averages a summer high of around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas San Francisco’s is 69 degrees.

Public transportation: Tempe’s public transit is localized and centered around the immediate community.

- - Tempe’s public transit system includes the Valley Metro Light Rail, which connects residents throughout Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix. The Tempe Streetcar serves local travel, running on a 3-mile loop around ASU. San Francisco’s Muni, operated under SFMTA, has more than 3,500 buses and trolleybuses. The Bay Area has 117 light rail stations.
- Average commute: Tempe’s average commuter is shorter and less complex.
  - Tempe residents’ average commute time is 20.1 minutes, compared to 32.2 minutes in San Francisco. Traffic tends to flow steadily in the Phoenix metro, with rush-hour delays being normal. However, San Francisco is ranked among the nation’s most traffic-dense cities.

Political landscape: Tempe leans more red than San Francisco.

- - Tempe has 1,523,886 registered Republicans (35.39%) and 1,210,510 Democrats (28.11%). Of the 535,787 registered voters in San Francisco, only 40,402 are Republicans; 333,297 are registered democrats.

Pro sports teams: Tempe has no professional sports teams, but it does have ASU athletics.

- When you move from San Francisco to Tempe, you will leave behind the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, the Golden State Warriors, and the San Jose Sharks. Tempe has no professional sports teams.

What Is Tempe Arizona Known for?

Tempa Arizona is known for Arizona State University, for having a lively downtown, and prime recreational activities like Tempe Town Lake.

Is It Cheaper to Live in San Francisco or Tempe?

Tempe generally has a lower cost of living than San Francisco, with a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 106 compared to San Francisco’s 166.

Where to Live in Tempe?

South Tempe suits families seeking a quiet suburb, with a laid-back vibe. Lively young adults gravitate toward North Tempe. Homes for sale in Tempe AZ are more sparse in the north end, as the renter population is high. Many high-rise apartments and condominiums support a walkable, energetic lifestyle. Neighborhoods like Maple-Ash have homes priced over $1 million, while Shalimar offers affordable rentals. Homes in the 85283 zip code start as low as $250,000.

Things to Do in Tempe

After moving from San Francisco to Tempe, explore expansive parks like Papago Park and Tempe Lake, and enjoy Downtown Tempe’s shop-lined streets and great dining, including Top of the Rock. Tempe Marketplace is the best spot for retail therapy, and Desert Botanical Garden is home to 55,000 plants spanning 4,800 species.

What Is the Best Way to Travel From San Francisco to Tempe?

For most household relocations, a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the fastest option. The flight takes about 4 hours, and average ticket prices range from $85 to $280 or more.

You can drive the 760-mile trip. The route begins on I-5 South and ends on I-10 East; the drive time is about 12.5 hours.

Greyhound has a route from San Francisco to Tempe, but it takes about 17 hours, and tickets cost $100+.

Moving From San Francisco to Tempe FAQ

When Is the Best Time of Year to Move From San Francisco to Tempe?

Fall and winter offer the most competitive prices as availability is more flexible. San Francisco to Tempe moving companies are slowest between October and February because school is in session and the holidays are coming up. Neither city worries about snow delays, but the Bay Area gets heavy fog in June, and Tempe summers are dangerously hot.

Is Tempe Arizona a College Town?

The Tempe community centers on Arizona State University, making it more of a college town than most. However, plenty of suburban neighborhoods are home to non-college students who live there full time. The Lakes, Alta Mira, and Warner Estates offer a break from the hustle, bustle, and nightlife. Downtown Tempe, University Heights, and Cyprus Southwest are college-student- and young-adult-concentrated areas of Tempe.

What Are the Best Moving Companies for Moving From California to Arizona?

Look for moving companies with legal jurisdiction to perform an interstate move from California to Arizona (active U.S. DOT No. and MC No.), customizable services, insurance, and the full range of services (storage, custom crating, furniture disassembly and reassembly, etc.). The best moving companies have no hidden fees and provide estimates that clearly outline all fees and services.

What Are Red Flags With Movers?

Red flags include no San Francisco Bay Area address, an inability to provide a Certificate of Insurance, inactive or invalid license numbers, and non-customizable moving services. Poor customer reviews, or a lack of them, can be a major red flag, as can requests for large upfront deposits before the job begins. Watch for blank documents without an itemized list of costs, services, and charge caps.

Get a Free Quote From the Best Movers From San Francisco to Tempe

Moving from San Francisco to Tempe is a big step, and our custom moving plans, detailed route planning, and on-time deliveries will make it even more exciting. Call AMS Relocation at (650) 284-2931 to start the free estimate process!