($1,502) Movers From Montgomery, AL to Scottsdale, AZ

What to know before moving from Montgomery to Scottsdale

Moving from Montgomery to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Montgomery, it’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:

• Rent prices in Scottsdale are 175% higher than in Montgomery, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Montgomery.
  Home prices in Scottsdale are 488.6% higher than in Montgomery.
• Income in Scottsdale is 29.1% higher than in Montgomery, 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 248.5% higher than in Montgomery. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Scottsdale, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 28.0% higher than in Montgomery.
• The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 18.97% lower than in Montgomery.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city’s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 19.50% lower than in Montgomery.
• One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 50.00% lower than in Montgomery.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $10,453.66 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Montgomery.

How life is different in Montgomery vs. Scottsdale

• The population of Scottsdale is about 20% greater than Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, based on public transportation ratings. Scottsdale has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Montgomery. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Scottsdale means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Montgomery. Scottsdale is considered more walkable than Montgomery, with a score of 32 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Montgomery. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Scottsdale is considered more bike-friendly than Montgomery 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 Montgomery is rated as 33 out of 100.
• Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Montgomery based on scores of 25.8 and Montgomery's 65.25, 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 Montgomery, based on Scottsdale’s safety index of 74.2 versus 34.75 for Montgomery. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Scottsdale has better air quality than in Montgomery. Scottsdale has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Montgomery. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Montgomery 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 “unregulated” 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-effectiveness—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.

Helpful moving resources