Moving from Nashville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ

Prepare for climate changes in the Valley of the Sun

Relocating from Nashville to Phoenix, Arizona's capital and largest city, is a journey of nearly 1,650 miles. And with the change in geography comes significant climate changes. Phoenix is nicknamed “Valley of the Sun” thanks to its dry climate and average of 300 sunny days per year.  

You can expect summer temperatures around 100 degrees (10 degrees higher than Nashville) and mild winters with no snowfall.  

Annual rainfall in Phoenix is only 9 inches, significantly less than the yearly average of 49 inches you’re used to from Nashville. 

Continue (or start) an outdoor lifestyle

If you enjoyed outdoor time in the woodlands of Tennessee, you’ll be pleased with the natural desert beauty of Arizona.  

If you’re new to outdoor living, Phoenix is a great place to start with hiking and biking in the nearby mountains or traveling a bit farther — only 225 miles — to explore the Grand Canyon National Park. 

Remember to stay hydrated to protect your body from the dry air year-round and the extreme heat during the summer. 

Working in a bigger city

Phoenix has a population of over 1.6 million people and 4.85 million in the metro. It’s much larger than Nashville, which has around 700,000 in the city and over 2 million in the metro area.  

Despite being a bigger city, the cost of living in Phoenix is often more affordable than in Nashville. Tourism jobs and industries like technology, healthcare and financial services are big draws in Phoenix.  

Salaries and unemployment rates are close to national averages.  

Golden Arches and other Phoenix cuisine

With its location in the Southwest United States, it’s not surprising that Phoenix is renowned for Mexican food. But when you think of hamburgers, Phoenix probably doesn’t come to mind.  

Back in 1953, the first franchise location of McDonald’s opened in Phoenix, and the rest is history, as there are now restaurant locations around the world sporting the famous “Golden Arches.” Although the first franchise no longer stands, you can get your burger fix at one of the other 20+ locations in and around Phoenix. 

There are also plenty of places in Phoenix to sample cuisine from around the world, including Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese and Persian foods.  

Start your journey to Arizona with U-Pack

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and more than 25 years of experience. Through our locations near Nashville and Phoenix, we have what it takes to help with your long-distance move. We’re a DIY-moving service where you handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we drive your belongings. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.