($1,409) Movers From Sacramento, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

What to know before moving from Sacramento to Scottsdale

Moving from Sacramento to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Sacramento, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Scottsdale are 74% higher than in Sacramento, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Sacramento.
  Home prices in Scottsdale are 73.5% higher than in Sacramento.
• Income in Scottsdale is 18.3% lower than in Sacramento, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Scottsdale include Honor Health, CVS Health, and Scottsdale Unified School District.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Scottsdale, since the cost of living for a single person in Scottsdale is 116.6% higher than in Sacramento. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 26.2% lower than in Sacramento.
• The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 38.96% lower than in Sacramento.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city’s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 8.00% lower than in Sacramento.
• One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in Sacramento.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,498.12 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Sacramento.

How life is different in Sacramento vs. Scottsdale

• Scottsdale might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Sacramento.
• Getting around Scottsdale without a car might be more difficult than in Sacramento. Scottsdale has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Sacramento is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Scottsdale neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Sacramento. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Scottsdale isn’t as walkable as Sacramento, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Scottsdale, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Sacramento. While Sacramento has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Scottsdale earned a 56. 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.
• Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Sacramento based on scores of 25.8 and Sacramento's 49.21, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Scottsdale than in Sacramento, based on Scottsdale’s safety index of 74.2 versus 50.79 for Sacramento. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Scottsdale has better air quality than in Sacramento. Scottsdale has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Sacramento. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Sacramento vs. Scottsdale move

• Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
• 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: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Arizona 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 Scottsdale. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Scottsdale

Now that you've decided to make the move to "West's Most Western Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Scottsdale.

Helpful moving resources