Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Scottsdale, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Jacksonville, FL β Scottsdale, AZ cover 2060 mi and about 35h 59m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2060 mi Β· 35h 59m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Scottsdale and Jacksonville are close on the overall BEA RPP (99.484 vs 103.316); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Scottsdale typical home at $858,022 is 3.9% above Jacksonville at $282,895 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.4Β°F vs 69.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.06 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.9% between Jacksonville and Scottsdale (ACS 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.
Moving between Florida and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 99Β°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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2060 mi and the route typically takes 35h 59m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 203.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2060 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 3.9% higher than Jacksonville (103.316 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 60.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Scottsdale, AZ.