Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Miami, FL
Cross-country relocations like Scottsdale, AZ β Miami, FL cover 2376 mi and about 41h 44m 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.
2376 mi Β· 41h 44m 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 90 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miramar, Miami Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 103.316 in Scottsdale to 114.155 in Miami, a 10.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Miami: 10.5% below Scottsdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 61Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 57.2" |
Climate warms by 6.5Β°F on the annual average β 69.6Β°F β 76.1Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Miami β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.5% between Scottsdale and Miami (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Miami compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Miami, FL from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 2376 mi and the route typically takes 41h 44m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 44.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Miami more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami is 10.5% higher than Scottsdale (114.155 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 32.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2376 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· Miami, FL.