Moving from Seattle, WA to Scottsdale, AZ
It is 1404 mi between Seattle and Scottsdale β roughly 26h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1404 mi Β· 26h 44m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β NV β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β NV β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.0% cheaper overall in Scottsdale than Seattle on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Seattle to Scottsdale β $868,680 vs $858,022 (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.4Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.06 |
Households in Scottsdale earn about 7.0% less at the median β 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.
Moving between Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1404 mi and the route typically takes 26h 44m via US 93 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1404 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 7.0% lower than Seattle (103.316 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 12.0% lower 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Scottsdale, AZ.