Best overall value
Key factors that influence moving costs from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach
What to know before moving from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach
Moving from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Scottsdale than in Virginia Beach, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Scottsdale compares to Virginia Beach so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Scottsdale | Virginia Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,300 | $1,950 |
| Average home value | $827,308 | $402,391 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,533 | $81,810 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,753 | $4,533 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,570 | $5,910 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 8.05% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Virginia Beach are 41% lower than in Scottsdale, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Virginia Beach.
Home prices in Virginia Beach are 51.4% lower than in Scottsdale. - Income in Virginia Beach is 26.8% higher than in Scottsdale, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Virginia Beach include Stihl, Navy Exchange, and Venture Realty Group.
- The cost of living for a single person in Virginia Beach is 21.2% lower than in Scottsdale. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Virginia Beach, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 29.3% higher than in Scottsdale.
- The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 2.13% higher than in Scottsdale.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the cityโs sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 25.47% lower than in Scottsdale.
- State income taxes in Virginia Beach are 130.00% higher than in Scottsdale.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,363.81 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Scottsdale.
How life is different in Scottsdale vs. Virginia Beach
| Virginia Beach | Scottsdale | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,672 | 241,361 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 32 |
| Bike friendliness score | 42 | 56 |
| Crime Index | 42.0 | 25.8 |
| Safety Index | 58.0 | 74.2 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Virginia Beach is about 90% greater than Scottsdale, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Virginia Beach without a car might be more difficult than in Scottsdale. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Scottsdale is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a cityโs transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Youโll find Virginia Beach to be about as walkable as Scottsdale. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 33 and 32 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- You probably wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Virginia Beach, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Scottsdale. While Scottsdale has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, Virginia Beach earned a 42. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Virginia Beach is higher than in Scottsdale, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 42.0 in Virginia Beach, it is 25.8 in Scottsdale. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Virginia Beach. With a crime index of 58.0, Virginia Beach ranks lower in overall safety than Scottsdale, whose index is Scottsdale's 74.2. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Virginia Beach and Scottsdale is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Scottsdale vs. Virginia Beach move
- Weather: Virginia Beach has winters that are cool with light snowfall. Summers are hot and humid. The wettest season is summer, specifically July to early September, with August being the single wettest month.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Virginia Beach. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Virginia Beach
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Neptune City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Virginia Beach.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Hilltop
- Alanton
- Great Neck
- Kempsville
- Bayside
Best neighborhoods for families
- Great Neck
- Red Mill
- Kempsville
- Ocean Lakes
- Alanton
Things to do in Virginia Beach
Now that you've made the move to Virginia, itโs the perfect time to explore Virginia Beach. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Virginia Beach, such as the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Ferry Plantation House, and Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Neptune's Park, Mount Trashmore Park, Bayville Farms Park, and Great Neck Park โ along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Scottsdale.
When is the cheapest time to move from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach?
Because spring and fall moves from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Scottsdale to Virginia Beach take?
Covering 2,342 miles, the move from Scottsdale, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA typically takes seven to 18 days. Some Scottsdale movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inVirginia Beach can help bridge the gap.
