Moving from St. Paul, MN to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving from St. Paul, MN to Scottsdale, AZ is a 1632 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 8m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1632 mi Β· 30h 8m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, I 40, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Scottsdale and St. Paul is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 11.6" |
Scottsdale runs 23.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (46.5Β°F vs 69.6Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.06 |
Median household income in Scottsdale is 1.4% above St. Paul ($73,055 vs $107,372, 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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (23.1Β°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 does household income compare in St. Paul vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 47.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 1.4% lower than St. Paul (103.316 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1632 mi and the route typically takes 30h 8m via US 54 and I 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1632 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Scottsdale, AZ.