San Jose, CA to Scottsdale, AZ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Jose to Scottsdale typically costs $2,500–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 720 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Jose to Scottsdale
Moving from San Jose, CA to Scottsdale, AZ typically costs $2,500–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 720-mile move from San Jose to Scottsdale, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,389 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $6,595 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,633 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 13, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 12, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 18, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 14, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 23, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 23, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 12, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Nov 28, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from San Jose to Scottsdale
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,700, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,800.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Jose, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,600) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA guide.
Best San Jose to Scottsdale movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Jose to Scottsdale
If you want to simplify your interstate move from San Jose to Scottsdale, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→AZ movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 372 California moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from San Jose to Scottsdale
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Scottsdale runs about 57% higher for singles and -45% higher for families than San Jose.
Singles spend around $5,753 in Scottsdale versus $3,674 in San Jose; families pay $4,570 compared with $8,354.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Jose | Scottsdale | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,027 | $1,850 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,240 | $3,410 |
| Average home value | $1,453,657 | $827,308 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,421 | $64,533 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,674 | $5,753 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,354 | $4,570 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Sales tax | 9.38% | 8.05% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- Rent is estimated to be 7% higher in Scottsdale compared to San Jose; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 43% less in Scottsdale than in San Jose.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 23% lower in Scottsdale compared to San Jose.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Scottsdale, since the cost of living for a single person in Scottsdale is 57% higher than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- Choosing to move to Scottsdale can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 45% less than in San Jose.
- Scottsdale enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 29% lower compared to San Jose, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes drop 14% in Scottsdale compared to San Jose, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 81% less in Arizona than in California. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between San Jose and Scottsdale:
| Living Expense | San Jose | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $293.08 | $256.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $48.44 | $70.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.80 | $4.22 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.93 | $3.58 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.50 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $77.00 |
| Gym membership | $123.75 | $34.33 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- Eggs cost more in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- Bread is more expensive in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Jose than in Scottsdale.
How life is different in San Jose vs. Scottsdale
| San Jose | Scottsdale | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 971,233 | 241,361 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 32 |
| Bike friendliness score | 62 | 56 |
| Crime index | 47.73 | 25.8 |
| Safety index | 52.27 | 74.2 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Scottsdale's population is about 75% less than San Jose.
- Scottsdale's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than San Jose's score of 7.
- Scottsdale is less walkable than San Jose with a score of 32 out of 100 vs San Jose's 51 out of 100.
- Scottsdale has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Jose, which has a score of 62.
- Scottsdale's crime rate is lower than San Jose with a score of 25.8 compared to San Jose's 47.73. This means that Scottsdale neighborhoods are safer than 25.8% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73%.
- Scottsdale is considered to be safer than San Jose with a safety index of 74.2 vs San Jose's 52.27.
- Air quality in Scottsdale is Good, and in San Jose it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Jose to Scottsdale move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Arizona doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Scottsdale. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Scottsdale
Now that you've decided to make the move to The 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
Once you're settled into your new home in Arizona, it's time to get out and discover what Scottsdale has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Scottsdale, such as the Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, Penske Racing Museum, Cosanti, and Wonderspaces Arizona.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Chaparral Park, Xeriscape Garden, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, and Scottsdale Artists' School Rose Garden — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Scottsdale Scorpions (MiLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Scottsdale?
The best time to move from San Jose to Scottsdale is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Jose.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Jose to Scottsdale?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from San Jose to Scottsdale, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from San Jose to Scottsdale take?
Moving from San Jose, CA to Scottsdale, AZ covers 720 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some San Jose movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Scottsdale.
Which movers in San Jose give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers here honor AAA discounts.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in San Jose?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 61 movers in San Jose advertise piano moving expertise. 53 movers in San Jose provide antique moving services. State totals show 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
