Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to move from San Jose to Scottsdale ranges from $692 to $6,924 and the journey will take approximately one to six days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 720-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Scottsdale to San Jose guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best Professional Movers from San Jose to Scottsdale
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from San Jose to Scottsdale can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
|
Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to AZ move
Local moving companies in San Jose
- Lunardi Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- All Reasons Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Pure Moving Company: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Vector Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Trek Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0190625
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2762936
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0189789
Years in Business: 33
DOT #: 70719
Alternate Names: All Reasons Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191103
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 3207734
Alternate Names: Pure Pros Movers, Pure Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191802
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3152229
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from San Jose to Scottsdale?
San Jose movers charge $119 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,519 - $4,555 | $922 - $2,299 | $648 - $1,169 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,797 - $6,924 | $1,644 - $3,156 | $692 - $1,459 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,910 - $10,078 | $2,224 - $4,100 | $815 - $1,802 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Arizona
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Arizona will cost between $1,519 and $4,555. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to AZ will range from $2,797 to $6,924, and a large move from California to Arizona will cost from $4,910 to $10,078.
Cost of moving containers from California to Arizona
When you’re heading from California to Arizona, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $922 and $2,299. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,644 and $3,156. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,224 to $4,100. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from California easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Arizona
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $648 to $1,169. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $692 to $1,459, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Arizona costs around $815 to $1,802.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your San Jose to Scottsdale move
What to know before moving from San Jose to Scottsdale
Moving from San Jose to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than San Jose, 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:
| San Jose | Scottsdale | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,095 | $3,300 |
| Average home value | $1,453,657 | $827,308 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,421 | $64,533 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,674 | $5,753 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,354 | $4,570 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Sales tax | 9.38% | 8.05% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Scottsdale, since prices are typically 7% higher than in San Jose.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Scottsdale.
Home prices in Scottsdale are 43.1% lower than in San Jose. - Income in Scottsdale is 22.6% lower than in San Jose, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Scottsdale — including Honor Health, CVS Health, and Scottsdale Unified School District — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Scottsdale, since the cost of living for a single person in Scottsdale is 56.6% higher than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Scottsdale can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 45.3% less than what it costs in San Jose.
- The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 28.79% lower than in San Jose.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city's sales taxes in Scottsdale are 14.18% lower than in San Jose.
- One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 81.20% lower than in San Jose.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,697.60 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.
How life is different in San Jose vs. Scottsdale
| Scottsdale | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 241,361 | 971,233 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 32 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 56 | 62 |
| Crime Index | 25.8 | 47.73 |
| Safety Index | 74.2 | 52.27 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Scottsdale might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than San Jose.
- Getting around Scottsdale without a car might be more difficult than in San Jose. Scottsdale has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas San Jose is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Scottsdale neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Jose. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Scottsdale isn't as walkable as San Jose, which has a score of 51 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Scottsdale, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Jose. While San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, Scottsdale earned a 56. 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.
- Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than San Jose based on scores of 25.8 and San Jose's 47.73, 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 San Jose, based on Scottsdale's safety index of 74.2 versus 52.27 for San Jose. 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 San Jose. Scottsdale has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Jose. 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 San Jose 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Arizona, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- 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: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Scottsdale
Now that you've chosen West's Most Western Town as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale to check out.
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, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Scottsdale has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- 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, Wonderspaces Arizona, and Main Street Arts District.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Chaparral Park, Xeriscape Garden, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, and Scottsdale Artists' School Rose Garden — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team 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?
With many people choosing to move from San Jose 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 San Jose to Scottsdale take?
The 720-mile move from San Jose, CA, to Scottsdale, AZ, takes one to six days. Some San Jose movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Scottsdale.
