Moving from Arizona to Washington
Moving from Arizona to Washington covers about 1,371 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistAZ vs WA at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Modest cost-of-living shift
Overall costs in Washington are about 7% higher than in Arizona — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
No state income tax in Washington
Washington charges no state income tax, versus a top rate around 2.5% in Arizona. For most movers that means a meaningful bump in take-home pay.
Colder winters ahead
Washington averages 12°F cooler than Arizona. Pack cold-weather clothing and expect higher heating bills through the winter.
Wetter climate
Washington gets about 25" more precipitation a year than Arizona. Waterproof gear and covered parking are worth having on arrival.
Before You Leave Arizona
File Form 140PY for the year you move
You are a part-year resident if you move out of Arizona intending to give up your residency. File Form 140PY. Arizona taxes all income you earned while you lived here. It also taxes income from Arizona sources after you leave. Enter the date you gave up residency and the name of your new state. If two states tax the same income, see Form 309 for a credit.
Source: Arizona Department of Revenue, Form 140PY Instructions (2025)Order a paper title before you register the car elsewhere
Arizona stores title information electronically. You do not automatically get a paper title. You may need a paper title when you move out of state. Order one with the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. The fee is $4. If you still have a loan on the car, ask your lender how it will send the title to your new state.
Source: ADOT, Title and Registration TopicsYou do not have to tell MVD you moved
When you register the car in your new state, that state should notify Arizona MVD. Until that happens, you may still get registration renewal and insurance notices. Arizona does not refund the rest of your registration after you register the car somewhere else.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQKeep Arizona insurance until you register the car elsewhere
Keep your Arizona insurance until your new state registers the car. Insurance companies report cancelled policies to MVD. A lapse can lead to a registration suspension. With an insurance suspension in Arizona, you cannot get a driver license in another state until you clear it. To clear it, show proof of Arizona insurance that was in effect at the time. If you cannot, pay a $50 reinstatement fee and show current Arizona insurance.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQRegister a house you rent out with the county assessor
If you keep a home and rent it out, record it with the assessor in its county. An owner who lives outside Arizona must also name a statutory agent who lives in Arizona. Do this before a tenant moves in. State law does not let anyone live in the rental until the record is on file. Update the information within 10 days after it changes. A city or town can fine an owner who does not register.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1902, Residential rental propertyMaricopa County: a house you leave is no longer a primary residence
A primary residence is your one main home, where you or a qualified family member live more than seven months a year. If you claim a home in another state as your primary residence, the Arizona house no longer qualifies. A house rented to someone outside the family becomes class 4.2 rental property. Class 4.2 does not get the State Aid credit, so the tax bill may go up.
Source: Maricopa County Assessor, FAQAfter You Arrive in Washington
Get a Washington driver license within 30 days
You have 30 days after you move to Washington to get your driver license. Get the license first, because you need it to register a vehicle here. DOL treats you as a resident if you have a Washington address or are registered to vote here. Getting in-state tuition, state benefits, or a resident-rate fishing or hunting license also counts.
Source: Washington DOL, Moving to Washington: Get a driver licenseMake an appointment at a driver licensing office
You must have an appointment. Bring proof of identity, including your out-of-state license, and the license fee. At the office, you give your Social Security number. Depending on where your license is from, you may have to take tests. The office punches a hole in your old license and gives you a temporary license for 45 days. The permanent license comes by mail.
Source: Washington DOL, Moving to Washington: Get a driver licenseRegister the vehicle within 30 days at a vehicle licensing office
You have 30 days after you move here to register your vehicle. Vehicle licensing offices are separate from driver licensing offices, so plan two trips. Bring your current title and write down the odometer reading before you go. Does a bank hold the title? Call a vehicle licensing office for its fax number. Give that number to the bank. You get plates at the office.
Source: Washington DOL, Moving to Washington: Vehicle registration and platesCheck the use tax exemption for your vehicle
Washington charges use tax on a vehicle when sales tax was not paid here. New residents can be exempt. The personal vehicle must have been acquired and used in another state more than 90 days before the move. It must also be licensed here within 30 days of the move. A vehicle bought within 90 days of the move does not qualify. Your registration from the other state is the usual proof.
Source: Washington Department of Revenue, Vehicles brought into Washington from out-of-stateCarry at least 25/50/10 liability insurance
A vehicle registered in Washington needs at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person. It needs $50,000 for injury or death of two people in one accident. It also needs $10,000 for property damage. Be ready to show your insurance ID card any time you drive. Driving without insurance can bring a fine of $550 or more.
Source: Washington DOL, Mandatory insuranceRegister to vote 8 days before an election, or in person after that
Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before an election. To register online, you need a Washington driver license, permit, or ID card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. After that, register in person at a county elections office until 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you get an enhanced driver license, election officials register you automatically.
Source: Washington Secretary of State, Register to Vote in WashingtonYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 1,371 miles (~25 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Washington DMV, register to vote in WA, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Arizona
Hot desert climate with dry heat, sunny skies, and mild winters.
Washington
Marine west coast with mild temperatures, rainy winters, and warm, dry summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Arizona
Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Arizona to Washington?
The driving distance from Arizona to Washington is approximately 1,371 miles — about 25 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Arizona to Washington?
A professional interstate move from Arizona to Washington typically costs between $4,000 and $7,500, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Arizona and Washington?
Arizona has a cost of living index of 107.6 versus 114.6 for Washington (US average = 100).
- Overall, Washington is about 7% higher than Arizona.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Washington?
After establishing residency in Washington, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Washington DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Washington DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Washington?
Washington has marine west coast with mild temperatures, rainy winters, and warm, dry summers.
- The annual average temperature is 48°F, with about 38 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $114.