Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Jacksonville, FL
Cross-country relocations like Scottsdale, AZ β Jacksonville, FL 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
| Scottsdale | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Jacksonville and Scottsdale are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.316 vs 99.484); 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: Jacksonville typical home at $282,895 is 3.7% under Scottsdale at $858,022 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 47.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.6Β°F vs 71.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Jacksonville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.5 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.7% between Scottsdale and Jacksonville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Jacksonville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 37.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Scottsdale, AZ?
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.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 3.7% lower than Scottsdale (99.484 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 Jacksonville?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Jacksonville, FL.