Moving from Chandler, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
It is a short 32 mi hop from Chandler, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ — roughly 45 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
32 mi · 45 min by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | AZ 101 LOOP, AZ 202 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Goodyear, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chandler | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Chandler and Scottsdale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $524,156 in Chandler to $858,022 in Scottsdale, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chandler -2.0%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chandler | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $103,691 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.6% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.06 |
Household income lines up — $103,691 vs $107,372 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Scottsdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Scottsdale average 99°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Scottsdale sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Chandler?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $48,600 in the Chandler MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Chandler, AZ?
The driving distance is 32 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via AZ 101 LOOP and AZ 202 LOOP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chandler to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 32 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Chandler vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $103,691 in Chandler — a 3.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Chandler?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $524,156 in Chandler — a 63.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chandler.
City profiles: Chandler, AZ · Scottsdale, AZ.