Key factors that impact the cost of your Birmingham to Scottsdale movetoggle

The cost of Birmingham movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Birmingham to Scottsdale (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,602, while larger moves may reach $11,439 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Birmingham.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $1,156 to $2,805, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Birmingham to Scottsdale

Moving from Birmingham to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Birmingham, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Birmingham Scottsdale
Average rent cost $1,250 $3,300
Average home value $125,988 $827,308
Average income (per capita) $39,403 $64,533
Cost of living (single person) $2,697 $5,753
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,727 $4,570
Unemployment rate 5.6% 4.7%
Sales tax 10.0% 8.05%
State income tax 5.0% 2.5%
  • Rent prices in Scottsdale are 164% higher than in Birmingham, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
    Home prices in Scottsdale are 556.7% higher than in Birmingham.
  • Income in Scottsdale is 63.8% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Scottsdale include Honor Health, CVS Health, and Scottsdale Unified School District.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Scottsdale, since the cost of living for a single person in Scottsdale is 113.3% higher than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 32.1% lower than in Birmingham.
  • The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 16.07% lower than in Birmingham.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 19.50% lower than in Birmingham.
  • One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 50.00% lower than in Birmingham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,399.33 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.

How life is different in Birmingham vs. Scottsdale

Scottsdale Birmingham
Population 241,361 196,644
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 0
Walkability score 32 33
Bike friendliness score 56 31
Crime Index 25.8 61.64
Safety Index 74.2 38.36
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Scottsdale is about 23% greater than Birmingham, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • Scottsdale offers better access to buses and trains than Birmingham, based on public transportation ratings. Scottsdale has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 0 in Birmingham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Youโ€™ll find Scottsdale to be about as walkable as Birmingham. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 32 and 33 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
  • If cycling is your thing, Scottsdale is considered more bike-friendly than Birmingham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Scottsdale has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, while Birmingham is rated as 31 out of 100.
  • Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Birmingham based on scores of 25.8 and Birmingham's 61.64, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
  • You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Scottsdale than in Birmingham, based on Scottsdaleโ€™s safety index of 74.2 versus 38.36 for Birmingham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • The air quality in Scottsdale and Birmingham is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. Scottsdale move

  • Weather: Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an โ€œunregulatedโ€ state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Arizona does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Scottsdale. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectivenessโ€”offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Scottsdale

Now that you've decided to make the move to "West's Most Western Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Scottsdale.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Old Town Scottsdale
  • Gainey Ranch
  • Kierland
  • Shea Corridor
  • South Scottsdale

Best neighborhoods for families

  • McCormick Ranch
  • DC Ranch
  • Grayhawk
  • Troon North
  • South Scottsdale

Things to do in Scottsdale

After settling into your new Arizona home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Scottsdale has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Scottsdale is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, Penske Racing Museum, Cosanti, Wonderspaces Arizona, and Main Street Arts District.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Chaparral Park, Xeriscape Garden, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, and Scottsdale Artists' School Rose Garden โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Scottsdale Scorpions (MiLB) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Scottsdale?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Birmingham to Scottsdale are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Birmingham are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Birmingham to Scottsdale?

With many people choosing to move from Birmingham to Scottsdale in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Birmingham to Scottsdale take?

Moving from Birmingham, AL to Scottsdale, AZ covers 1,647 miles and usually takes four to 15 days. Need to move faster? Some Birmingham movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Scottsdale.

Helpful moving resources