Moving from Seattle, WA, to Tucson, AZ

Moving to the Arizona desert 

Leaving rainy Seattle for the desert life in Tucson, AZ? The 1,525-mile journey will be the beginning of many changes, but one of the most noticeable differences is the climate. 

While Tucson gets some rain — 12 inches annually — the city is much drier than Seattle, which averages 38 inches each year. And you’ll notice that with less rain, Tucson is a much sunnier place to live. It averages 286 sunny days throughout the year vs. only 152 in Seattle.

Tucson's summer highs can easily reach 100 degrees, compared to Seattle’s average of only 76 degrees. Both cities have winter lows around 38 degrees, but snow is rare in Tucson, while Seattle averages 5 inches annually.

Finding your way in a smaller town 

Tucson has the nickname “America’s Biggest Small Town.” With around 550,000 people living in the city limits and 1 million in the metro, it is smaller than Seattle (737,000 city residents, 4.02 million in the metro). 

With fewer people, Tucson has a less extensive public transportation system than you’re used to in Seattle. Tucson has a limited bus system, a downtown streetcar, bike lanes and ride-sharing services, but most residents commute by car. 

Small-town desert life 

Tucson has a different pace than Seattle. The smaller city has a more laid-back lifestyle, and community connections are a priority. 

While enjoying the desert landscape and scenery, check out the local arts scene. Tucson has multiple events throughout the year, including festivals, gem shows and regional rodeos.  

When hunger strikes, enjoy the offerings in Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Tucson’s cuisine is influenced by Mexican and Native American heritage. 

Working and learning in Tucson 

Top employers around Tucson include Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Raytheon and the University of Arizona. Hospitality and leisure are also growing industries. You’ll also find that the cost of living in Tucson is more affordable than in Seattle. 

There are 41 public schools in Tucson for grades K-12 and multiple trade schools for adult learners. In addition to the University of Arizona, other public and private colleges serve the area, including The Art Institute of Tucson and Carrington College. 

Relocate to Arizona with U-Pack 

Choose U-Pack® for a stress-free move from Seattle to Tucson. We have service center locations across the country ready to help. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we’ll take care of transporting your things. Get a free moving quote and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 if you’d prefer to speak to a moving consultant.