Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Tempe, AZ

Enjoy a smaller city with a larger metro

Moving across the country from Pittsburgh, PA, to Tempe, AZ, takes you to a desert environment with smaller city vibes and the benefits of a large metropolitan area.

Tempe’s population of just under 181,000 is smaller than Pittsburgh’s, which is around 303,000. However, the Tempe metro area has 4.6 million residents, considerably more populous than Pittsburgh’s metro, which has 2.5 million. 

Keep reading to learn a bit more about life in Tempe.

Expect significant climate changes 

While you experienced all four seasons in Pittsburgh, the desert environment in Tempe lends itself to cool winters and hot, dry summers. Tempe’s average temperatures range from 42 to 105 degrees, while Pittsburgh’s average range is 21 to 84 degrees.

Tempe experiences infrequent snowfall, while Pittsburgh usually receives an average of 28 inches annually. Tempe also receives an average of 9 inches of rainfall, much less than the 40 inches Pittsburgh receives annually. 

You can enjoy around 300 sunny days per year in Tempe

Making a living in the Tempe area

Tempe offers more affordable living than Phoenix, which is only 11 miles away. Many Tempe residents commute to the state’s capital city to work in healthcare and technology.

For those who wish to stay in the city to work, the largest employers in Tempe include Arizona State University, Carvana, Freedom Financial Network, Honeywell Aerospace, Shutterfly, Silicon Valley Bank (First Citizens Bank) and Wells Fargo.

Things to know about Tempe

Learn more about your new city:

• Despite being in a desert, the town has a water feature thanks to a manufactured lake, Tempe Town Lake, created in 1999.
• Hayden Butte, one of Tempe’s most popular hiking spots, has centuries-old petroglyphs from the Hohokam people, the area's early inhabitants.
• Tempe is home to Arizona State University, which serves one of the largest student populations in the U.S.
• The bike-friendly city has over 200 miles of dedicated bicycle paths.
• The Tempe Bridge was nicknamed “The Bridge to Nowhere” before the town grew.

Let U-Pack service your move to Arizona

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers, including locations near Pittsburgh and Tempe, ready to serve you. We’re a DIY-moving service with nearly 30 years of experience in long-distance moves. You handle packing, loading and unloading, and we drive your belongings to your new home. Get a free online quote today for your move to Arizona, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.