Cheapest Junk Removal in Tempe, AZ (2026 Comparison)

We compared pricing for the most common junk removal job: removing 1 to 3 items (a couch, mattress, or small load of household junk) from a Tempe address. Prices were gathered from company websites, phone quotes, and verified customer reports as of early 2026.

The City of Tempe operates a residential bulk trash collection program as part of its solid waste services managed by the Public Works Department. Tempe uses a bimonthly (every two months) bulk pickup schedule — so each address receives six collection opportunities per year.

Key details about Tempe bulk trash:

• **Schedule:** Look up your collection dates at tempe.gov/solidwaste or call 480-350-4311. Tempe uses a zone system with staggered bimonthly schedules. • **Placement:** Items must be curbside by 5 AM on Monday of your collection week. Place items no earlier than the Saturday before. • **Accepted items:** Furniture, mattresses, household items, small appliances. Refrigerant-containing appliances require door removal. • **Not accepted:** Hazardous waste, tires, electronics, construction debris, and items over 75 pounds or 6 feet in length. • **Cost:** Included in your residential solid waste fee (approximately $27.50/month in Tempe).

The bimonthly schedule means waits of up to 8 weeks. During May and August (ASU move periods), the program gets overwhelmed and collection can take the full week. If timing matters, Tempe bulk trash is not reliable enough.

Tempe also operates the **Household Products Collection Center** at 1320 E University Dr where residents can drop off paint, chemicals, and electronics — but not furniture or bulk items.

Here is what you should know about each service operating in Tempe.

Dropcurb is a curbside-only junk removal service operating across the Phoenix metro, including all of Tempe. You book online, see the exact price before paying, place items at the curb by 8 AM, and a local hauler picks them up same day.

**Pricing:** Starts at $79 for a single item (couch, dresser, desk, etc.). Mattresses are $94 ($79 + $15 disposal fee). Refrigerators are $134. Multi-item pickups are discounted — a couch plus mattress is $113.

**Pros:** Cheapest professional option. Price locked before payment. Same-day service. No appointment windows — leave items out, they get picked up.

**Cons:** Curbside only. You have to get items to the curb yourself. Not suitable if you cannot physically move heavy items outside.

**Best for:** Budget-conscious Tempe residents, ASU students moving out, landlords turning over rental units.

Book at [dropcurb.com/az/tempe](/az/tempe).

1-800-GOT-JUNK operates in Tempe through their Phoenix East Valley franchise. They are the biggest name in junk removal nationally and offer full-service interior pickup.

**Pricing:** Minimum charge of $159 for a single item. Average job in the Phoenix metro is approximately $240. Volume-based pricing — they estimate how much of their truck your items fill and charge accordingly. A half-truck load runs $350 to $500. A full truck is $600 to $800.

**Pros:** Full-service. Crew comes inside your home. Well-known brand.

**Cons:** Most expensive option. No fixed prices — on-site estimate only. Frequently quoted higher on-site than on the phone. 1–3 day wait typical.

**Best for:** Situations where you need items removed from inside the home and cannot move them yourself.

Junk King is a franchise-based junk removal company with an East Valley location serving Tempe, Mesa, and Gilbert. They position themselves as the eco-friendly alternative to 1-800-GOT-JUNK.

**Pricing:** Starts at $129 for a minimum load. Average single-item pickup is $149 to $249. They give a phone estimate and confirm on-site. Half-truck loads run $299 to $449.

**Pros:** Slightly cheaper than 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Claims 60%+ recycling and donation rate. Offers phone estimates before dispatch.

**Cons:** On-site price can differ from phone estimate. Full-service pricing still significantly higher than curbside services. 1–3 day scheduling.

**Best for:** Eco-conscious customers who need interior service.

College Hunks operates in Tempe through their Phoenix metro franchise. They offer junk removal and moving services with a younger crew.

**Pricing:** On-site pricing only — they will not give firm quotes over the phone. Single items typically run $149 to $299. Half-truck loads are $350 to $500.

**Pros:** Energetic crews. Full-service. Also offer moving.

**Cons:** Most opaque pricing of all major companies. No online or phone quotes. Pricing is comparable to or higher than 1-800-GOT-JUNK.

**Best for:** Combined junk removal and small moves.

The Tempe area — especially near ASU — has an active market for individual haulers advertising on TaskRabbit, Craigslist, and Nextdoor. These are typically one-person operations with a pickup truck.

**Pricing:** $60 to $150 for a single item, negotiated per job. Multi-item loads are $120 to $250.

**Pros:** Often cheapest option after self-hauling. Flexible scheduling. Some offer same-day.

**Cons:** No insurance, no licensing, no guarantees. Ghosting and no-shows are common — especially during ASU move-out when demand spikes. No recourse if they damage your property or dump items illegally. Some individuals may charge extra upon arrival.

**Best for:** Small loads with low-risk items if you are comfortable with no consumer protections.

Every May and August, Tempe experiences a junk removal surge driven by ASU's academic calendar. Over 70,000 students attend ASU's Tempe campus, and a significant percentage move housing each year. The neighborhoods around University Drive, Apache Boulevard, Rural Road, and Mill Avenue become temporary furniture graveyards.

During move-out season:

• Tempe bulk trash collection gets overwhelmed, with delays extending to 7+ days. • Full-service junk removal companies book out 3 to 5 days in advance. • Prices from individual haulers spike 50 to 100% due to demand. • Dropcurb maintains same-day service and locked pricing year-round — no surge pricing during ASU move-out.

If you are a landlord or property manager in the ASU area, booking Dropcurb in advance through [dropcurb.com/book](/book) guarantees your price and pickup date regardless of seasonal demand.

Here is every Tempe junk removal option ranked from cheapest to most expensive for a single item:

1. **Tempe Bulk Trash** — Free, but 2–8 week wait 2. **Self-haul to dump** — $14–$25 plus your time and vehicle 3. **TaskRabbit / independent hauler** — $60–$150, no insurance 4. **Dropcurb** — $79, same-day, price locked, professional 5. **LoadUp** — $89–$139 + $50–$80 service fee 6. **Two Men and a Junk Truck** — $99–$199 7. **Stand Up Guys** — $99–$175 8. **Junk King** — $129–$249 9. **College Hunks** — $149–$299 10. **1-800-GOT-JUNK** — $159–$289

Dropcurb is the cheapest professional junk removal option with same-day service and guaranteed pricing. If you have a truck and a free afternoon, self-hauling is cheaper. If you can wait months, city bulk trash is free. But for most Tempe residents who need reliable, affordable, same-day service — Dropcurb at $79 is the best value.