Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to El Monte, CA
The 385 mi from Scottsdale to El Monte translate to about 7h 2m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
385 mi Β· 7h 2m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, AZ 101 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in El Monte is 9.9% higher than Scottsdale, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in El Monte is 9.9% below Scottsdale ($765,444 vs $858,022 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 15.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Scottsdale (69.6Β°F) and El Monte (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Monte gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 3.62 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.9% between Scottsdale and El Monte (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 10.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 385 mi and the route typically takes 7h 2m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is El Monte more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 9.9% higher than Scottsdale (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 39.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· El Monte, CA.