($1,424) Movers From Buffalo, NY to Scottsdale, AZ

What to know before moving from Buffalo to Scottsdale

Moving from Buffalo to Scottsdale comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Scottsdale is generally more expensive than Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo.
  Home prices in Scottsdale are 287.6% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income in Scottsdale is 1.7% higher than in Buffalo, 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 122.2% higher than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Scottsdale is 20.1% lower than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is 50.53% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Scottsdale, since the city’s sales taxes in Scottsdale are 8.00% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to Scottsdale is paying less in state income taxes, which are 77.06% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,666.28 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. Scottsdale

• Scottsdale might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 13% less than Buffalo.
• Getting around Scottsdale without a car might be more difficult than in Buffalo. Scottsdale has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Buffalo 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 Buffalo. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Scottsdale isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 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 Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 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.
• The crime rate in Scottsdale is higher than in Buffalo, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 25.8 in Scottsdale, it is 8.0 in Buffalo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Scottsdale than in Buffalo, based on Scottsdale’s safety index of 74.2 versus 53.55 for Buffalo. 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 Buffalo. Scottsdale has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo 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'spublic 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 toScottsdale 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.

Helpful moving resources