($1,460) Movers From Scottsdale, AZ to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Scottsdale to Tacoma

Moving from Scottsdale to Tacoma means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Scottsdale than in Tacoma, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Scottsdale compares to Tacoma so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tacoma are 50% lower than in Scottsdale, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tacoma.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 42.3% lower than in Scottsdale.
• Income in Tacoma is 13.6% higher than in Scottsdale, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tacoma include Joint Base Lewis-McChord, MultiCare Health System, and State of Washington.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tacoma is 28.2% lower than in Scottsdale. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tacoma, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tacoma is 58.9% higher than in Scottsdale.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 55.32% higher than in Scottsdale.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 27.95% higher than in Scottsdale.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Scottsdale.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,155.22 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Scottsdale.

How life is different in Scottsdale vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 7% less than Scottsdale.
• Tacoma offers better access to buses and trains than Scottsdale, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Scottsdale. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tacoma means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Scottsdale. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Scottsdale, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 32 out of 100 in Scottsdale. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tacoma, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Scottsdale. While Scottsdale has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, Tacoma earned a 48. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Tacoma is higher than in Scottsdale, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 55.55 in Tacoma, it is 25.8 in Scottsdale. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tacoma. With a crime index of 44.45, Tacoma ranks lower in overall safety than Scottsdale, whose index is Scottsdale's 74.2. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Tacoma and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale vs. Tacoma move

• Weather: Tacoma has one of the best weather in the state of Washington which is a desirable feature for residence. Humidity in Tacoma is generally tolerable. The most humid months are August, July and September which are the best months to schedule a move to avoid rainfall and snow.
• 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington 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 Tacoma. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Tacoma

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America’s #1 Wired City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tacoma.

Helpful moving resources